Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) president Denis Drennan has said that farmers around the country are facing a “fodder crisis”, with the situation “worsening” as wet weather persists.
The latest farming commentary by Met Éireann shows that most soils are currently close to saturation, with very little improvement expected over the coming week.
In some northern and western areas some light soils are trafficable, while most poorly drained soils are waterlogged.
Drennan said that while the south east is probably one of the worst affected areas, the whole country is “coming under pressure” and described the situation as “mayhem”.
“A lot of cattle went in around the time of the ploughing in what we thought would be temporary, but they are still in the shed,” Drennan said.
Drennan said that he has heard of many farmers having to buy in fodder and borrow money.
Fodder shortage
He added that with rain levels last summer, a lot of “bad bales” were made.
“There is fodder available in certain areas, but the quality is pretty dubious and even that will tighten up in the next week,” Drennan said.
An Agriland survey completed in January showed farmers facing a critical shortage of fodder on their farms which has forced some of them to buy-in more silage.
It showed one third of farmers were facing a fodder shortage.
Some farmers highlighted how difficult it was to get bales – with prices averaging up to €40, and said that they “need support to buy them”.
Ongoing impacts
Drennan said that the ongoing situation is “part of the frustration among farmers”.
He said that fodder concerns were compounded by “income crises” on dairy farms, with increasing costs of production, along with a low price for milk.
“Rules are being imposed for sustainability, but the margins are not there. The consumer is not willing to pay for all of those extra standards,” he said.
Over the next week, Met Éireann has forecasted moderate drying conditions, with rain or showers on most days. Opportunities for spraying will generally be limited.
Rainfall totals are expected to be above normal with around 40-60mm in many areas and up to 70mm or slightly above in parts of the southwest and west.