Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has announced the commencement of payments under the Fodder Transport Support Measure.

The measure was introduced by the minister to provide targeted support by way of a transport support contribution to farmers having to purchase fodder over longer distances due to the prolonged and unfavourable weather conditions on farm last spring.

Minister McConlaogue said: “Due to the difficult spring and localised fodder shortages, I introduced the Fodder Transport Support Measure.

“I was acutely aware of the pressure farmers were under and the increased costs as a result of having to move fodder over longer distances.

“I’m pleased to announce that payments will issue to cooperatives in the coming days and these payments will then be passed onto farmers who applied for and have been accepted into the scheme.”

The movement of 48,132 bales and 19,114t of fodder has been supported by this measure, with 24 cooperatives participating in the scheme. Payments totalling €2.1 million will issue to 669 farmers through their co-ops in the coming days.  

“I would actively encourage any farmers who have not yet completed a fodder budget to do so to ensure that they have adequate fodder supplies on hand for the coming winter,” McConalogue continued.

“Where shortages are identified, it allows farmers, in consultation with their advisors, to put in place a plan for the coming winter.”

Payments will issue to the co-ops along with a detailed breakdown of the eligible farmers for payment following the completion of the relevant verification checks and inspections.

Any farmers or co-ops that have queries regarding this measure should contact officials at the Helpdesk on 057-8674422.

Fodder Transport Support Measure

The Fodder Transport Support Measure was introduced for holdings with livestock that required forage to be purchased and transported over 75km and utilised on the holding from April 1, 2024.

The scheme closed for applications on May 15, 2024.

The table below outlines the transport support contribution that is payable on each bale/tonne of forage complying with the terms and conditions of this measure.

Forage materialBale sizeTransport support per bale/t €
Hay/straw4×420
Haylage/silage/maize silage4×430
Hay/straw8x4x435
Hay/straw8x4x330
Haylage/silage/maize silage8x4x340
Hay/straw6x3x28
Pit silage Per tonne40
Fodder beetPer tonne40

Transport support contribution on other standard bale sizes will be calculated pro rata, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).