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Farmers fed as much as 30% more meal in August and September as they did during the same period last year.
Early housing of cattle in wetter parts of the country has forced farmers to feed both silage and concentrates, while dairy farmers are feeding to boost milk cheques.
Feed companies around the country are reporting an increase of between 10% and 30% in their sales of cattle feed compared to this time last year.
The resulting impact of higher feed bills will take a toll on farms that have already been hardest hit by weather problems this year.
Dairy demand
The biggest demand for feed is coming from dairy herds, but stockists have also seen an increase in demand from beef and sheep farmers.
In the southeast, Brett Bros’ managing director Jimmy Brett said that the company had seen a 25% increase in the sale of feed during September.
He said that was driven by the improved price of milk this year, which meant dairy farmers can afford to increase their cows’ ration and retain their profit margin.
Western rise
In Connacht, one feed mill told the Irish Farmers Journal that its feed sales rose by 1,400t last month compared with September 2016.
This was mainly due to farmers being forced to feed housed cattle in wet weather, with some of the increase being driven by dairy herds pushing on milk production.
Another feed company in the midlands recorded a 30% rise in the sale of feed for both August and September, and cited the wet weather and larger dairy herds as driving up demand.
In general, feed companies in Leinster reported the highest increase in demand for feed, with other provinces reporting a 10% to 15% increase.
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