Aurivo – the globally-focused agri-business, headquartered in the north-west – is set to host three free information evenings in the coming weeks, for farmers facing fodder shortages this winter.
Many farmers are preparing for a winter of uncertainty, due to prolonged rainfall across large parts of the Aurivo trading region since July.
The rapidly rising price of native straw, due to poor grain harvests, is adding to the problem.
Farmers are invited to attend one of three free information evenings hosted by Aurivo, at which experts from its Homeland and Nutrias brands will offer practical advice and support.
Focus points will include: predicting fodder needs; calculating potential shortages; reducing demand on current supplies; managing silage ground that could not be harvested; and utilising strong grazing covers in challenging underfoot conditions.
A representative from Mental Health Ireland will also discuss how the pressure of such shortages can impact on farmers’ well-being. Representatives from financial institutions will also be on hand to offer advice on managing additional expenses this winter.
- November 13: Dorians Hotel, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, at 8:00pm;
- November 15: Sligo Park Hotel, Co. Sligo, at 8:00pm;
- November 23: Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, at 8pm.
Stephen Blewitt, general manager of agribusiness at Aurivo said: “We’re committed to helping farmers across our region through this challenging time. The uncertainty makes it a very stressful time for many of them and when it comes to preventing unnecessary panic in spring time, the importance of early intervention now cannot be underestimated.
“The temptation can be to buy whatever feed is available; however, calculating feed demand and deficit can help reduce costs in the long run.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to come along to one of our information evenings for support and advice from our team of experts across the Homeland and Nutrias brands. I would also like to thank the team from Mental Health Ireland for making themselves available to offer support,” he said.
Aurivo has a network of 32 agri and lifestyle retail stores. It also manages dairy and sports nutrition brands, four livestock marts, an animal nutrition business and it exports dairy ingredients to over 50 countries in markets as diverse as Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Congo and Costa Rica.