It is understood that the next meeting of the fodder action group recently established by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, will take place in early January.

Earlier this month, Minister Creed set up the fodder action group in order to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the issue of fodder availability in affected areas – particularly in the north-west region. The first meeting was held on December 11.

The group is chaired by Teagasc and comprises of all the main stakeholders, including feed merchants and co-ops, as well as banking and farm bodies.

In a statement to AgriLand, the department  outlined that the group’s objective is to “actively monitor the fodder situation and to ensure co-ordinated expertise and guidance is available to affected farmers regarding their options.

“These may include sourcing alternative feed, advice on nutrition needs and options, reducing non-breeding stock numbers and ensuring they continue to carry out fodder budgeting.

Over the coming weeks Teagasc advisers – working with the support of the group – will focus on those farmers in particular who have already flagged that they may have fodder issues, in order to help them successfully plan for the winter ahead .

“Minister Creed will continue to monitor the fodder situation on the ground through feedback from the group,” the department said.

Meanwhile, Tom Coll – a drystock advisor for Teagasc, who is based in Mohill, Co. Leitrim – reminded farmers who are facing a fodder shortage that help is out there; he encouraged those farmers to call into their local Teagasc office if they are in need of advice or support.

Speaking to AgriLand, Coll advised farmers who have 50% or more of their fodder needs for winter available, to stretch it out and supplement it with concentrates. Feed mills in the worst-affected areas have been contacted and they are supplying suitable rations and mixes to farmers facing into a fodder shortage, he said.

He outlined that the cost of transporting fodder in some cases is just not viable.

Concluding, Coll urged farmers – if they have not done so already – to carry out a fodder budget. This will be a valuable tool when trying to determine the most economical way for farmers to get through the winter period.

The post Next fodder action group meeting scheduled for early January appeared first on Agriland.

Ration prices are variable across the country and it pays to shop around. This is especially applicable this year, as some farmers have housed animals earlier than usual.

AgriLand recently did a round-up of three rations, including: a beef-finishing ration (14% protein); a weanling ration (16% protein); and a high-maize ration (30% maize). All prices quoted were for feed paid for on the day of purchase.

Farmers should look closely at ingredients and choose a feed to suit their own farming system. Choosing the correct ration can help to keep overall feed costs to a minimum.

Beef-finishing ration

The lowest price quoted for a beef-finishing ration of 14% protein was €230/t. €235/t was the standard price.

Weanling ration

Weanling rations (16% protein) varied largely in price. The lowest price quoted was €223/t, while the highest price quoted was €265/t. Other prices for weanling rations were somewhere in the middle at €240-245/t.

High-maize ration

Prices for high-maize rations, with a maize content of 30%, weren’t as variable. The lowest price quoted was €235/t, while the highest price quoted was €240/t.

The post Prices: What are you paying for rations? appeared first on Agriland.

Live export issues and the fodder crisis have been identified as two key areas that need to be addressed as soon as possible in 2018, by the new president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) Pat McCormack.

These issues need to be placed at the top of the ‘to-do list‘ for 2018 and need to be dealt with quickly and correctly, he said.

McCormack – a 40-year-old dairy farmer from Co. Tipperary – is the youngest ever president of the organisation and he was elected without contest before Christmas.

Commenting on the fodder crisis, the president said that it is already obvious that supports will have to be put in place to ensure that farmers can get additional fodder into affected areas – at a reasonable cost – or that concentrates will have to be subsidised for the farmers impacted by the crisis.

But he also cautioned that matters will be made “considerably worse” if the problems around shipping export calves are not addressed and dealt with in an effective manner.

“Additional fodder will be needed in certain areas and we’ll be looking for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide support for the transportation and purchase of this fodder.

But we also see a link to the question of live export; the calving season is only weeks away and, with over 1.5 million calves being born between now and the end of May, it is essential that the shipping issue is resolved in advance of the calving season and that we have adequate capacity to get to our markets.

“Any threat to that trade – coming on top of a fodder crisis – really compounds an already bad situation and pushes already-stressed farms to the edge.

“These would be the two issues that the ICMSA would want to see Minister Creed getting to grips with immediately,” McCormack said.

Long-term issues

With regards to long-term issues, the president outlined that the Brexit situation remains a major threat to the Irish agri-food sector – and the conclusion of a satisfactory deal on this matter is “by no means assured”.

He was also adamant that Ireland had no alternative but to block the Mercosur deal – given the nature and size of the threat to our beef sector – without any apology to anyone.

From a family farm perspective, volatility remains the key concern, McCormack said.

He committed the ICMSA to a continuous lobbying effort aimed at securing taxation measures in Budget 2019 in order to support farmers during periods of price volatility. As well as this, he also indicated that the ICMSA would lobby for the incorporation into CAP of the Voluntary Milk Supply Reduction Scheme.

McCormack vowed to defend the interests of the family farms that are ICMSA’s core membership and the economic backbone of rural Ireland during his tenure as president of the association.

The post Live exports: ‘It’s essential that the shipping issue is resolved ahead of the calving season’ appeared first on Agriland.

The developing fodder crisis cannot be ignored by the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, any longer, according to the president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Joe Healy.

Healy also called for a further meeting of the Fodder Action Group, which was established by the minister in December.

The first and only meeting of the group to date took place on December 11 and the next meeting is expected to take place early this month, but no date has been set as yet.

Chaired by Teagasc, the group comprises all the main stakeholders – including feed merchants and co-ops, as well as banking and farm bodies.

Commenting on the fodder crisis, Healy said: “A Teagasc survey has clearly established that 85% of farmers affected by fodder shortages in the north-west region have, on average, less than half of the fodder they need for the winter.

“That is a very stark situation for the farmers affected and the very poor weather of the last number of days will only add to the problem.

The minister has been aware of the dire situation for some time, he has acknowledged the difficulties farmers are experiencing – but, has yet to offer any tangible support; immediate action is required.

“It is very disappointing that the minister has – to date – failed to support a meal voucher system, which we strongly believe would have been the best and most efficient solution.

“We are now seeking a commitment from the minister to fund the significant cost of transporting fodder to the areas in need,” he said.

Last month the IFA revealed it has mobilised its national county and branch network to support those farmers in most difficulty.

Counties have been twinned with a view to identifying farmers who are in a position to contribute feed, so that fodder can be transported to areas in need.

The post ‘The developing fodder crisis cannot be ignored any longer’ appeared first on Agriland.

It is essential that a fodder transport scheme to support farmers affected by the fodder crisis is up and running without delay, according to the deputy president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Richard Kennedy.

He will lead an IFA delegation at today’s meeting of the Fodder Action Group in Sligo.

Ahead of the meeting, Kennedy said that any transport support scheme put in place by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, will have to be practical and effective in dealing with the crisis.

AgriLand understands that a targeted, localised measure to support the transport of fodder will be announced following the second meeting of the fodder action group.

Responding to the reports, Kennedy said: “It appears that Minister Creed has finally recognised that something has to be done.

Whatever scheme is put in place, it is imperative that it is up and running without delay, that it is practical and not excessively bureaucratic.

In recent weeks, the IFA has mobilised its national county and branch network to support those farmers in most difficulty as a result of the fodder crisis.

Counties have been twinned to identify farmers who are in a position to contribute hay or silage that can be transported to areas in need and provided at a reasonable cost.

Continuing, Kennedy said: “The survey undertaken by Teagasc has clearly established that 85% of farmers in the north-west region are affected by fodder shortages and have, on average, less than half of the fodder they need for the winter. That is a very stark situation for the farmers affected.

Our view is that a feed voucher scheme for concentrated feed/meal would have been the most efficient way to address this problem.

“While there is no doubt that farmers in some counties have some surplus fodder, it is costly to transport it and it is far from certain that there is sufficient fodder to address the problem in the worst affected areas.

“However, a transport support scheme would be welcome – so long as it is operable and put in place quickly,” he concluded.

The finer details of the scheme are set to be announced later today.

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No details of a suspected fodder transport scheme to support farmers affected by the fodder crisis have been revealed following the second meeting of the Fodder Action Group in Sligo this morning.

But, the feeling from the meeting is that an announcement is imminent.

This only represents the second time the Fodder Action Group – which is chaired by Teagasc and consists of farm organisations, feed merchants, co-ops, banking institutions and department officials – has met since being established in early December.

The chairman of the Sligo branch of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA), Gabriel Gilmartin, said he is extremely disappointed at the lack of a conclusive announcement relating to a transport subsidy for fodder at today’s meeting.

He was equally disappointed that no concession on the provision of meal vouchers was forthcoming either.

Speaking following the meeting, Gilmartin said: “Despite recent soundings to the contrary, regrettably no announcement on a transport subsidy was forthcoming today.

The ICSA is seeking meal vouchers, as they are a critical component in alleviating the crisis. ICSA is arguing that meal vouchers can offer a better-value solution than transporting fodder across the country at huge cost.

“These would have to be in the order of €40/t and must be central to any solution,” he said.

Gilmartin said there were further concerns arising due to indications from department officials present at the meeting that the transport of straw wouldn’t be subsidised in any event.

“This declaration has compounded the difficulties; however, the ICSA will continue to press for transport subsidies for straw – as well as hay and silage – as a matter of urgency,” he added.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Donegal branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Michael Chance, indicated that the association “pushed hard” for a meal voucher system.

He believes that a meal voucher system would “take the heat” out of the current roughage market.

Commenting on the fodder situation in Co. Donegal, he said: “We have a load of haylage coming up from Co. Waterford; it takes a significant amount of money to transport it that distance.

We’re just keeping ahead of the problem here; but, I don’t know how much longer we can keep doing that for.

An announcement from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine relating to a fodder transport support subsidy is expected in the coming days.

The post Details of fodder transport subsidy not yet revealed appeared first on Agriland.

At least 60,000 bales are required to meet the fodder shortage in the north-west alone, which has extended into counties Monaghan, Cavan and Roscommon, according to Lorcan McCabe of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA).

The deputy president of the ICMSA expressed disappointment at the reluctance of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to tackle the crisis, following the conclusion of today’s meeting of the Fodder Action Group in Sligo this morning.

Speaking after the discussion, McCabe said: “It has been five weeks since the last meeting of this group and we came here today expecting action from the department – but, instead we were met with a response of ‘only assessing the situation’.

How many times must they be told that there is a crisis before they begin to take action?

“Most farmers in the north-west need 60-80 bales on average to meet their fodder deficit, with an estimated total of about 60,000 bales – and the department must make adequate provisions to support these farmers.

“We have made consistent recommendations to the department to subsidise the transport of forage and to introduce vouchers for ‘fodder stretcher’ ration; but, to date, these suggestions seem to have fallen on deaf ears.”

McCabe stressed that department intervention is now required, adding that the ICMSA is calling on the minister to intervene and to introduce measures without delay to support the farmers who are under extreme pressure at present.

‘The time for procrastination is over’

Meanwhile, Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) deputy president Richard Kennedy said there is growing frustration among farmers over the failure by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, to bring forward any measures at today’s meeting.

Kennedy said it’s incomprehensible that the minister has not delivered anything, given the scale of the difficulties for the 85% of farmers in the region who don’t have sufficient fodder.

We sent a clear message to his officials today that the time for procrastination is over.

“Our view is that a feed voucher scheme for concentrated feed/meal would have been the most efficient way to address this problem.

“While there is no doubt that farmers in some counties have some surplus fodder, it is costly to transport it and it is far from certain that there is sufficient fodder to address the problem in the worst affected areas.

“However, a transport support scheme would be welcome – so long as it is operable and put in place quickly,” the deputy president said.

In the absence of any response to the crisis from the minister, the IFA has mobilised its national county and branch network to support those farmers in most difficulty, according to the organisation.

Counties have been twinned to identify farmers who are in a position to contribute hay or silage that can be transported to areas in need and provided at a reasonable cost.

Kennedy said: “A survey undertaken by Teagasc has clearly established that 85% of farmers in the north-west region are affected by fodder shortages and have, on average, less than half of the fodder they need for the winter.

“That is a very stark situation for the farmers affected.”

The post ‘At least 60,000 bales required to meet north-west fodder shortage’ appeared first on Agriland.

A prospective fodder transport subsidy – or any other “prudent measure” brought forward – must be appropriately targeted to those worst affected by the fodder crisis, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.

In a statement released to AgriLand, Minister Creed said: “As outlined at the weekend, my department is engaging with stakeholders – including through a fodder task force – with a view to providing a targeted contribution towards long-distance transport of fodder, to those areas most impacted by the adverse weather.

“Fodder sale and purchase is a normal and significant trade between farms on an annual basis and it is important that any prudent measure brought forward is appropriately targeted to those most impacted – whilst not impacting negatively on this trade.

I would also stress that if a situation arises where the welfare of livestock is at risk, herdowners should contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Animal Welfare helpline or their Regional Veterinary Office for support.

Minister Creed made the comments after the second ever meeting of the Fodder Action Group took place today (Monday, January 15) in Sligo. No details of a fodder transport subsidy were discussed and farm organisations continued to push hard for a meal voucher system.

Poor weather conditions for much of last autumn and early winter were challenging for farmers, particularly in parts of the west and north-west. This forced many farmers to house their stock earlier than expected and disrupted some farmers’ efforts to conserve fodder.

Prioritisation of farm support payments

As a result of this, Minister Creed outlined that he prioritised the payment of farm supports to assist farmers with cash flow.

He said: “The European Commission agreed to my request, informed in part by the poor weather conditions of last autumn, for an advance payment of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme and agri-environment schemes.

These payments commenced after the earliest date possible – which was October 15, and balancing payments issued in early December.

“These payments, together with those issued under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, injected over €1.3 billion into the Irish rural economy by the end of last year and are providing a very welcome boost for Irish farm families and will help to finance fodder purchases where necessary,” he said.

In early December, Minister Creed then established the Fodder Action Group – which is chaired by Teagasc and consists of farm organisations, feed merchants, co-ops, banking institutions and department officials.

The group’s objective is to actively monitor the situation and to ensure co-ordinated expertise and guidance is available to affected farmers regarding their options, the minister explained.

These may include sourcing alternative feed, reducing non-breeding stock numbers and ensuring they continue to carry out fodder budgeting, he said.

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In a lot of cases, farmers will battle out to the very end before calling a helpline, according to the president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Joe Healy.

Healy was addressing media at the IFA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) when he spoke about the disappointment regarding the reluctance of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, to announce support measures for farmers facing a fodder shortage at yesterday’s meeting of the Fodder Action Group in Sligo.

He said: “It’s beggars belief how the minister and the department can’t see the urgency of it; there is a huge issue around animal welfare and human welfare.

They talk about this helpline; for one reason or another – and I’m not saying it’s right – but, as farmers, you will try and battle out to the very end before you start calling a helpline. In a lot of cases, that can be too late.

“We are very disappointed that there has been no action from the minister. We will be raising this with him later and we expect a strong and positive response to the crisis,” the president said.

Healy also paid tribute to IFA members who have donated fodder through the association’s county twinning scheme.

He added that farmers find themselves facing a fodder shortage in parts of the west and north-west through no fault of their own.

“It wasn’t possible for them to get their fodder; we saw fields where there were tracks a foot deep and they had to pull out of it. We all know that you need at least two days – and a lot more – to get into fields to harvest silage or other crops.

What we wanted was a meal voucher earlier on, so you could supplement the meal with the silage or the hay – rather than just running out of silage, hitting a full stop and then having to go out to buy silage and meal.

“It’s very disappointing; there’s no point in sugar coating it. It’s very disappointing that nothing has been done; it’s a pure case of them dragging their heels,” Healy said.

However, the IFA is hopeful that an announcement relating to a fodder transport subsidy or a meal voucher scheme will be announced later this afternoon.

Farm safety

On the issue of farm safety, Healy outlined that the IFA will – for the first time – roll out a ‘farmer-to-farmer’ branch safety programme on a national level.

The president said: “Farm safety remains a significant challenge for our sector; we all have a responsibility to do more. In 2018 – for the first time – the IFA will roll out a ‘farmer-to-farmer’ branch safety programme nationally.

“It will seek to deepen farmers understanding of the safety risk on their farm and to empower them to improve safety, by facilitating and supporting shared learning and cooperation between farmers locally.”

He explained that the programme will evolve around a small number of farmers visiting another person’s farm to examine how safe it is and pointing out possible improvements.

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Everyone is waiting for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, to make an announcement regarding the promised fodder transport subsidy, particularly in the northern parts of the country.

This is the opinion of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association’s (ICSA’s) Cavan county chairman Hugh Farrell.

Things have been busy for the ICSA in recent times – bringing fodder to places most in need of it. However, following last week’s announcement of the incoming subsidy, there has been a lull in transport in recent days – as everyone is waiting on details from Government, the Cavan chairman said.

People are unsure whether there will be €5 off a bale next week and are holding out until further details emerge, Farrell said.

The ICSA has been keeping records of the loads of fodder being sent northwards, the Cavan chairman added, and will hand in receipts to the department when the subsidy comes forth.

People don’t know what they’re buying, Farrell said, and quality is varying – bales cost €35-€40 in some areas, so an announcement is needed soon.

The Cavan county chairman is hoping for an announcement from Minister Creed prior to the ICSA AGM this Thursday at the latest.

“It’d give more clarity to the situation; everyone is currently in limbo,” the Cavan chairman said. The current weather isn’t helping matters, he added. “The ground is saturated and unable to take any more water.”

‘Voucher system needed’

Meanwhile, ICSA’s Sligo county chairman Gabriel Gilmartin also commented the situation. He said: “Lads are under pressure, no question.

“Some may have enough to do until February or mid-March – but, where do they go then?” he asked.

Things are not looking any better weather-wise either, he noted. “The land is saturated; you’d be up to your ankles in water on good land around here.

“Straw can’t be got, so what will lads use for bedding cattle? Everyone is getting this weather and, if it doesn’t change soon, the suckler herd will be wiped out.

In Co. Leitrim alone, 3,000 cows have gone through the marts in recent times.

There has been no extended run of dry weather since July of last year, the former ICSA president noted; barring a dry spell lasting two or three days last September, the last dry period for the north-west was on July 12, he explained.

Commenting on the soon-to-be-announced fodder transport subsidy, Gilmartin said: “It has to be welcomed; but, we’d like to see straw included in the scheme and a meal voucher system brought in.

“There’s no point transporting fodder if 30-40% of it is water.”

Top-range feed ration costs well over €300/t, while stretcher ration costs €220-€250/t; given the price and variability of drawing bales, in some cases meal has to be better value, the Sligo farmer said.

“I attended the recent fodder forum and was pushing hard for a meal voucher system to be introduced for those who badly need it. It would be aimed at those most in need, not given out willy-nilly.”

Merchants and planners could be consulted by the department to decide which farmers need vouchers most, Gilmartin said – adding that even the ICSA or other organisations would have a fair idea of who is most affected.

While the subsidy will be most welcome, a meal voucher system has to be targeted, Gilmartin concluded.

The post Livestock farmers: ‘Everyone’s in limbo’ appeared first on Agriland.

The fodder transport subsidy scheme announced by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed at last week’s Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) AGM needs to be rolled out immediately, the IFA’s Connacht regional chairman, Padraic Joyce, has said.

The IFA has sought a meeting with the Department of Agriculture to discuss the details of the scheme and to ensure that it meets the needs of farmers affected and is not “cumbersome or overly bureaucratic”, according to the organisation.

Joyce said the IFA believes a meal voucher system would have been the best and most efficient means of providing support; but – in the absence of such a scheme – it is vital that the transport subsidy scheme is opened immediately.

In response to the fodder crisis, the IFA has mobilised its national county and branch network to support those farmers in most difficulty.

Counties have been twinned to identify farmers who are in a position to contribute feed that can be transported to areas in need and provided at a reasonable cost.

Co-op assistance

In the northern part of the country, LacPatrick Dairies has moved to help its farmers who are dealing with the ongoing fodder shortage.

LacPatrick has secured a “significant” volume of maize silage for its suppliers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic, a company spokesperson has confirmed.

The maize silage secured is claimed to be 71% dry matter digestibility (DMD) with a crude protein of 9%. LacPatrick has negotiated the price to below the current market value. The co-operative is acting as an intermediary between getting the maize from its current location to the farmer’s yard.

James Hurson of LacPatrick said the sourcing of the maize silage for LacPatrick suppliers was crucial, given where the market for fodder has moved to.

“We have been listening to our suppliers and assessing the fodder situation as all of the forage shortage has developed.

There are farmers who are desperately short of fodder and we have to make sure that animal welfare is paramount.

“As a result, we have taken the step to source top-quality maize silage to sell to our farmer suppliers. We are taking the step to sell the maize silage at cost price delivered to farmers’ yards, in order to help bring some stability to an already-inflated fodder market.

“I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their fodder stocks to get in contact immediately,” Hurson said.

Those interested in purchasing the maize silage can contact their farm liaison advisor or call LacPatrick Dairies Monaghan on: 047-81400.

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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been called upon to cover the cost of carrying out fodder budgets for farmers who successfully apply to the recently-announced Fodder Transport Support Measure.

Irish MEP Luke “Ming” Flanagan outlined that the department must cover the cost of the approved advisor completing the forage budget, as it is of “little support to the farmer if he receives €240 as a transport subsidy for 20 bales of silage and then has pay an advisor out of it”.

The Fodder Transport Support Measure was announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, last week. The rates for the fodder subsidy will be €12 for a standard bale of silage/haylage and €8 for a standard bale of hay/straw.

While he welcomed the scheme, Flanagan believes that – in its current form – it stands limited in scope and falls short of what is required.

Commenting on the scheme, the Irish MEP said: “The lack of a meal voucher scheme to complement the transport subsidy scheme is a major failing and this aspect must be revisited again.

Teagasc advice over the years in situations where fodder is scarce, and there is a need to stretch supplies, is to feed concentrates with available forage. As long as the animal has enough fibre in their diet, feeding concentrates is better value for money than maintaining animals on bought-in hay or silage alone.

“In addition, a meal voucher scheme is necessary to ensure that farmers not yet under pressure can extend their existing silage supplies to avert a crisis situation in six weeks’ time,” he added.

Flanagan went on to explain the compulsory involvement of the co-ops was a further unnecessary complication in his eyes.

“While they will have a role to play, and have always supported the farmer, there is little rationale in this aspect of the scheme.

“If a farmer had a verified shortage of fodder there is no benefit to him or her being obliged to source supplies through the co-op. This only adds to the administration of the scheme and will increase the delay in payments being released.

“Equally unnecessary is the 100km distance limit; again, if the farmer has a verified shortage of fodder, does it matter where it comes from? Setting arbitrary limits of this nature only serves to distort the market,” he concluded.

Fodder Action Group meeting

Meanwhile, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has called on Minister Creed to reconvene the Fodder Action Group for the third time since it was established late last year.

The INHFA is of the opinion that a meeting is needed to sort out the “many inconsistencies” revealed in the Fodder Transport Support Measure.

A number of core principles have been breached regarding the workings of the scheme, INHFA president Colm O’Donnell said.

He claimed that the minister has ignored the unanimous recommendation by the Fodder Action Group that a meal voucher scheme be put in place.

O’Donnell is also of the opinion that the department and the co-ops have “jointly engaged in price fixing, setting a massively inflated price that farmers must pay for bales in order to benefit from the haulage subsidy”.

O’Donnell also stated that many farmers in designated areas have been discriminated against, as small square bales are ineligible under the scheme. He explained that farmers in these areas who are out wintering stock are not permitted to feed round bales in ring feeders.

The INHFA national council is expected to decide in the coming days if further action is required on behalf of its members.

The post ‘Fodder budget costs must be covered by the department’ appeared first on Agriland.

Teagasc assessments on whether there are significant fodder shortages in specific areas are ongoing, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The spokesperson emphasised that the Fodder Transport Support Measure introduced by the department last month is a “very targeted and locally focused measure, centring on areas of fodder scarcity where normal local trading in fodder cannot service”.

‘Not county specific’

Yesterday, it was confirmed that the scheme is not county specific, despite the areas identified by Teagasc as being most affected being located predominantly in areas of the west and north-west of the country.

But, applicants must meet certain criteria, the spokesperson explained.

Farmers – in a locality having being identified by Teagasc as having a fodder shortage – having completed a fodder budgeting exercise with their agricultural advisor, will be eligible to receive a financial contribution towards offsetting the costs of transport of fodder.

“The scheme provides for a financial contribution to offset transport costs of hay, silage and straw for feeding, where this involves a distance of more than 100km.

“This measure will provide a financial contribution of €8/bale and €12/bale of standard fodder towards the additional cost of transporting it from the east and south of the country to the affected areas of the west and north-west. Farmers will still pay the cost of the fodder in the normal way.

Normal trade

“To ensure that normal local trade in fodder is not disrupted, a minimum transport distance of 100km will apply,” the spokesperson said.

Full details on the operation of the measure, including application forms and department contact details, are available on the department’s website. The fodder situation continues to be monitored by the department.

The post Teagasc continues fodder supply assesments appeared first on Agriland.

The fodder crisis is seeing some farmers going hungry to feed their animals, according to Thomas Gunning, managing director of the Irish Family Farm Rights Group (FRG).

“Farmers are putting the welfare of their animals before themselves. At the moment, some farmers are short of fodder and they are going hungry themselves to feed their animals, as banks have no mercy,” said the suckler farmer from Williamstown, Co. Galway.

“We are very unhappy with the fodder scheme that has been put in place. The financial pressure on farmers has to have a major effect on rural Ireland: the GAA clubs; sporting organisations; schools; churches; local Garda stations; post offices; co-op stores; marts; and pubs.”

Founded in December 2015, FRG mounted a national campaign for the removal of the four-movement rule for cattle enforced by meat processing plants.

Members petitioned farmers attending their local marts to support the campaign – which is ongoing – and have got almost 8,000 signatures to date.

The group has a vision of fairness at a time when everyone seems to be getting more out of farming than farmers, Thomas explained. “Many farmers believe that the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) payments were divided up unfairly,” he said.

“There is a feeling that farmers are being treated like criminals. Many are afraid to stand up because of the fear of being penalised with department inspections and the like,” Thomas contended.

“From being out on the road we know that a lot of farmers believe that farming is now a harsh life because there are so many people on their back.

They don’t want their sons or daughters to take over from them.

“My own daughter is an engineer. She loved farming but I advised her to stay away from it.

“Farmers want to educate their sons and daughters to get away from farming. This is coming at a very high cost to many farmers as they can barely afford to put food on the table,” Thomas said.

The group has also campaigned on the cost of keeping a suckler cow which, it said, is driving farmers to get out of farming.

The suckler sector is in serious need of support. There is too much dairy breeding coming into the suckler herd which is affecting the quality of cattle. We are going to destroy the suckler herd. Everyone is going to dairy and we are putting all our eggs in one basket.

The group – which has members around the country – has met with the Department of Agriculture, and has arranged to meet Minister Creed shortly, Thomas said. “We have funded the group from our own pocket up to now as we felt no one was speaking up for farmers.

“It’s only the big farmers that are being looked after. If you give it another 20 years, it will be very easy to count the number of farmers left in the country,” he said.

“The work of our group means that the small to medium farmer feels for the first time that they are being represented. We are meeting them at marts and meetings all over the country.”

The next meeting of the FRG will take place in the Mulroy Woods Hotel, Milford, Co. Donegal, on Wednesday, February 21 at 8:00pm.

The post ‘Farmers are going hungry to feed their animals’ – FRG appeared first on Agriland.

Worsening weather conditions mean a fodder crisis could still be on the cards Ulster Unionist Party leader, Robin Swann, has warned.

Swann said the findings of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) December 2017 agricultural survey “lay bare” the level of exposure Northern Ireland has to a major fodder crisis later in the spring.

He urged the department to put a plan in place.

He said: “Last year was an awful year for getting fodder lifted. Whilst quite a few farms locally were lucky to get good high-yielding first cuts of silage made, in many parts of Northern Ireland from mid-summer onwards the land never had time to dry.

Even before last August’s storms – during which the Met Office confirmed two-thirds of the average rainfall for the month came down in a matter of hours in some places – much of the land across was already saturated.

“The enduring poor ground conditions resulted in second cuts either being delayed by months, or not getting lifted at all. That, combined with the fact that cattle were being housed months earlier than normal, has meant that many local farmers are sitting with much lower levels of fodder than they ideally would have preferred.”

‘At the mercy of the spring’

Swann added: “Whilst I am aware of many farmers selling young stock earlier than they usually would, as well as using extra feed to compensate for less silage, the reality remains that many are still completely at the mercy of what the spring weather holds.

If it’s a good spring and cattle can get out then they should make it through; if it’s a bad spring and cattle have to stay in longer then they will face spiralling prices and real difficulty in actually sourcing quality fodder.

“We will have to wait and see; however, I would urge DAERA to look at some of the preparatory work that officials in the Republic of Ireland are undertaking in response to their fodder shortage. I have written to the department asking what arrangements are in place.

“It’s better to have plans in place just in case we do end up in a situation such as 2013 when some local farms were simply not able to secure fodder for their animals.”

Agricultural survey

“Now, thanks to the annual DAERA survey, which provides information on levels of hay and silage production and sowings of winter cereals, for the first time we can determine just how bad the shortfall is,” Swann said.

The survey provides estimates of the numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs on farms at the beginning of December. In addition, it provides information on levels of hay and silage production and sowings of winter cereals.

Because of poor weather conditions for the second and third cuts, average yields for 2017 were just 29.5t/ha – the lowest yield recorded in 12 years.

The amount of hay produced also hit its lowest ever recorded.

Swann said: “Yields were significantly down on the year before – even with the fact that 2016 was also such a bad summer that it was a low baseline to start off with.

“Other crops such as winter wheat didn’t get off to a good growing start either, especially as they were crying out for a bit of August sunshine, and then many farmers encountered major delays in harvesting them.”

Have you been affected?

If you would like to get in touch with an AgriLand reporter about this story email rachel@agriland.ie.

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Just nine completed applications for the much talked about fodder transport subsidy, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

In a statement on the matter, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture said: “The department can confirm that, as of this morning [Tuesday, March 20], nine completed applications for the fodder transport measure have been received in department offices in Portlaoise.

“This is not unexpected, as farmers may be holding off submitting application forms until they receive the required amount of fodder – thereby only submitting one declaration form from the co-operative.

Processing of applications for payment can only take place when the completed application, including the co-operative declaration and fodder budget, has been received.

“The measure remains fully available to farmers, as announced in January,” the spokesperson said.

Subsidy

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed recently spoke about the fodder transport subsidy in the Dail.

Answering a question from independent TD Michael Healy-Rae on a matter regarding the scheme, Minister Creed said: “Farmers, within the region identified by Teagasc as having a significant fodder shortage and having completed a fodder budgeting exercise with their FAS agricultural advisor, will be eligible to receive a financial contribution of €8 per standard 4X4 bale of hay or straw for feeding and €12 per standard 4X4 bale of silage or haylage.

This contribution is payable towards the additional cost of transporting fodder sourced through the co-operative system. Farmers will still pay the cost of the fodder in the normal way.

“Only the shortfall in fodder will be eligible to receive support under the measure,” the minister said.

The post Just 9 applications received for fodder transport subsidy so far appeared first on Agriland.

Glanbia Ireland is holding a series of animal nutrition clinics to assist its farmer suppliers in overcoming the challenges presented by the long winter and difficult weather conditions.

The late spring is causing significant challenges on dairy farms this year. According to Teagasc, year-to-date grass growth is less than half of what it was in 2017.

Based on the low average grass covers on most farms, grass supply is expected to remain tight for a number of weeks.

Clinics

Experts will be available to provide support and advice on how best to manage herds and minimise the impact on the forthcoming breeding season.

Having held the first clinic yesterday, two more are planned for today (Tuesday, March 27) and tomorrow. Today’s clinic, having started at 11:00am, will run through to about 5:00pm this evening; tomorrow’s information day will also run from 11:00am til 5:00pm.

The venues for the events are below:

In addition, an animal nutrition clinic for Glanbia Ireland milk suppliers will take place in the Lakeside Hotel Virginia on tomorrow evening (Wednesday, March 28) from 7:00pm.

Glanbia Ireland animal nutritionist Martin Ryan commented on the events, saying: “Over the past decade, dairy cow breeding and management has focused on aligning calving pattern and the lactation curve with grass growth.

Fodder gap

“This facilitated a reduction in concentrate feed input but with the longer than normal winter and very low grass growth a fodder gap is rapidly emerging on many farms.

The extent of the gap is variable but is generally between 0.5- 0.75t of silage per cow. On the majority of farms an investment of €20-€30/cow is required to minimise or eliminate the impact.

“Cows that would normally be at grass (at least by day) are clearly showing signs of negative energy balance (NEB),” Ryan explained.

“Milk protein percentage is the first casualty of negative energy balance. In a normal spring the recommended concentrate feeding rate for cows on 70 DMD silage and yielding 27L is 7.5kg and can be adjusted by 1kg per 5% change in silage DMD.”

Preventing body condition loss

“One of the main concerns today is preventing body condition loss. Losing body condition will impact future reproductive performance.”

Ryan said that there is a proven strong negative correlation between Body Condition Score (BCS) loss and the three-week submission rate at the start of the breeding season.

When BCS loss is kept at less than 0.25, submission rate can be 90% and over; between 0.25 and 0.5 the submission rate can fall to 70% – but when BCS is greater than 0.5 submission rates can be as low as 40%. This would have an impact for years to come.

The nutritionist explained that, where fodder is in short supply, it’s best to measure available quantity, prioritise stock (milkers, in-calf dry cows and young growing replacements – followed by all other stock) and budget uniformly between now and mid-April.

“Moderate levels of deficit can be replaced with concentrates and higher levels of deficits with a combination of concentrates and straights using as 1:5 substitution rate (1kg of concentrate replacing 5kg of silage),” he said.

“The very same budgeting principles should apply to available grass. It is advisable to maintain 50% of dry matter intake in the form of forage (grass, silage and/or straw).

“At and below 50% forage in the diet, the inclusion of long fibre (straw/hay) is critical to rumen function.

The ultimate objective is to make choices our future selves will thank us for.

For those interested, further information is available from the Glanbia Connect website.

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The importation of fodder is one option being considered by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, to alleviate the current shortages facing farmers.

The minister announced today that an immediate review of fodder supplies and identification of possible measures to increase fodder availability will be carried out.

This announcement follows a meeting between department officials, Teagasc and the main co-ops which took place last week. Another meeting of this group is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Wednesday, April 4).

This group is ensuring a co-ordinated approach to the issue and will also look at the availability of forage – including possible recourse to the option of imports, should it be required, the department added.

Commenting on the matter, Minister Creed said: “Significant rainfall over the weekend in many areas of the country has created additional challenges for Irish farmers dealing with what has already been a difficult spring.

“Officials from my department, in conjunction with Teagasc, have been actively monitoring the availability of fodder supplies for purchase by farmers.

Where there had been regional difficulties with fodder availability previously, the recent poor weather – coupled with poor grass growth – has delayed turnout of animals across the country, and this is putting pressure on fodder supplies across a number of regions.

“As supplies are tightening, it is important that these are managed proactively. My officials met with Teagasc and the major co-operatives last week to ensure co-ordinated advisory support for farmers.”

The minister called on farmers who still have supplies to continue to make these available to neighbours through local groups, the co-ops and Teagasc.

Teagasc advisors are available to conduct fodder budgeting and Minister Creed is asking Teagasc to run fodder clinics, in an effort to help farmers manage their particular situation.

Concluding Minister Creed said: “It is important to recognise that while supplies around the country remain tight, other options – including importation – need to be considered.”

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Farmers around the country are facing a growing fodder crisis as supplies run low and difficult weather conditions stall grass growth.

Earlier today, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed announced that the importation of fodder must be considered as one option to alleviate the current fodder shortages farmers face.

The minister announced today that an immediate review of fodder supplies and identification of possible measures to increase fodder availability will be carried out.

Following persistent wet weather, many fields are saturated at present. Meanwhile, the cold weather and recent heavy snowfalls have meant that grass growth is running up to three weeks behind schedule.

This has meant that farmers, who had to house their animals earlier than normal in 2017, have been forced to keep them inside for longer this year as well.

The increased pressure on fodder supplies resulted in shortages emerging – first in the west and north of the country. This situation led to the Fodder Transport Support Measure being launched by Minister Creed earlier this year.

But, since then, fodder supplies have begun to tighten in the east and south of the country as well.

Welfare of animals and farmers a ‘major concern’

As it stands, the fodder crisis has grown to a stage where the welfare of farmers and their animals are now a major concern, according to the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), Pat McCormack.

The current situation is an exceptional crisis which requires exceptional crisis measures, according to McCormack.

In addition, Joe Healy, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), has insisted that Minister Creed must pull together an emergency response to tackle the fodder and income crisis on farms due to the unprecedented weather conditions this spring.

“The situation is close to a national emergency on farms, and we need an emergency response. The minster has to call together all the stakeholders involved as a matter of urgency.”

The weather over the Easter weekend has left farmers reeling at a time when they really needed a period of good weather to get things moving.

“Poor grass growth because of cold weather and wet conditions in fields due to huge rainfall has meant that farmers, who are already under pressure for fodder, have had to keep their animals indoors at a time when they should be out on grass.

“We’re now into April and with the terrible conditions over the weekend the situation is at crisis point in almost all parts of the country,” he said.

Officials from the minister’s department are scheduled to meet with representatives from Teagasc, as well as the main co-ops, tomorrow (Wednesday, April 4) to discuss the fodder situation.

The post Poll: How much longer will your fodder supply last? appeared first on Agriland.

Dairygold has confirmed that it has organised for the importation of over 2,500t of fodder (haylage and hay) from the UK with the first loads due to arrive in Ireland tomorrow (Thursday, April 5).

The co-op noted that the imported fodder was essential to alleviate the current shortage of fodder facing Irish farmers, who are struggling with a long winter followed by the unseasonably cold and wet spring which has significantly delayed grass growth.

Additional shipments are due daily right through the weekend and into next week.

The fodder will be distributed to Dairygold’s farmers via the branch network across the Munster catchment region.

The co-op has assured that the cost of fodder to its members will be at cost price at source in the UK.

Dairygold had already been working with members over the last 10 days to source fodder from locations around Ireland until it wasn’t possible to source adequate supplies within Ireland.

The situation became more acute over the Easter weekend when an emergency contingency plan was put in place.

Dairygold chairman John O’Gorman explained: “There has been a definite tightening of fodder stocks especially in the last week.

The heavy rain across the country over the Easter weekend compounded an already bad situation on the ground for dairy farmers following one of the worst winters on record.

“Instead of having animals out at grass our members are still dealing with housed animals and all the feeding requirements that involves.”

Continuing, the chairman said: “We have no doubt that this imported fodder is essential. Unfortunately, ground temperatures and grass growth remain well below normal for this time of year – so at this point in time it’s difficult to know when dairy farmers will be in a position to return to grazing.

“This period between the calving and the breeding season is a critical time for animal health and nutrition.

This is a very costly operation and we will be making this point to the department and recommending that it initiates its haulage support programme that worked so well to assist in industry during the last fodder crisis in 2013.

The Irish dairy sector last experienced a fodder crisis five years ago in April 2013. Then Dairygold imported over 10,000t of fodder from the UK and France to alleviate a critical shortage on members’ farms.

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