Farmers throughout the country are dealing with “significant challenges” when it comes to spreading slurry because of poor grass growth and difficult weather conditions this summer, the Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice has warned.
Deputy Fitzmaurice today (Tuesday, September 24) appealed to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, to extend the slurry spreading season in order to “give farmers the breathing room they need”.
The permitted period for slurry spreading is scheduled to end on October 1.
Deputy Fitzmaurice has urged the minister to “step in immediately and grant a two-week extension to the slurry spreading deadline”.
“Farmers were already battling a shortage of grass earlier this year, which forced them to carefully manage their stock across different fields.
“They couldn’t spread slurry when needed because their priority was ensuring there was enough grass for their livestock. The poor growth left them with no choice but to delay spreading,” he said.
Slurry spreading
According to the Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway weather conditions improved, allowing farmers to focus on increasing their fodder reserves, which he said have been alarmingly low this year.
“Farmers were working flat out to make up for the shortfall in silage and bale returns, both from the first and second cuts, which were below expectations.
“Now, they need a little more time to finish grazing what grass remains before they can safely spread slurry,” he added.
Deputy Fitzmaurice believes that farmers are “doing everything in their power to manage the situation” but that they now need the minister’s help to work through the current situation.
Earlier this week a county councillor in Co. Mayo also called for the deadline for slurry spreading to be extended “well into October”.
Paul Lawless, a member of Mayo County Council for Aontú, said that the agriculture sector is “working to a standstill to try and meet the current cut-off point”.
Lawless said he is writing to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, to seek an extension “as a matter of urgency”.