Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon is urging all farmers to complete a fodder budget.

The comments come as drought conditions have severely impacted grass growth in recent weeks, particularly in the east of the country.

53% of farms in the south, east and midlands currently have a farm cover below 500kg dry matter per hectare (DM/ha), according to Teagasc,

Soil moisture deficit is between 60 and 95 mm in the south and east.

Fodder

As previously reported by Agriland, Teagasc is currently collecting data for the National Fodder Survey to assess fodder stocks across the country ahead of the coming winter.

Farmers are asked to complete their fodder budgets by August 21 either through PastureBase or by contacting their local advisor.

"These fodder budgets are increasingly important given the impact of the recent drought on reduced grass growth and to inform any next steps that may need to be taken to ensure sufficient fodder at both a national and regional level," Minister Heydon said.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is "liaising closely" with Teagasc on the survey.

The minister acknowledged "the impact that the ongoing drought is having on farms".

"Grass growth for the current year as monitored by Teagasc was 5% above the five-year average up until the end of July.

"However, severe soil moisture deficits (>70 mm) in the eastern half of the country are leading to current grass growth rates of less than 10 kg DM/ha, with growth rates in the south approximately 20 kg DM/ha and in the west 50 kg DM/ha," Heydon added.

Survey

The results of the National Fodder Survey are expected later this month.

The minister said the data will "provide a basis for farmers and the wider industry to assess the overall national and regional fodder supply situation".

Pressure has been mounting on Minister Heydon in recent days from farm organisations and politicians to reconvene the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC).

However, the minister has stopped short of such action until the survey is complete.

"When the results of this survey are made available, consideration will be given to any necessary next steps, including reconvening the National Fodder and Food Security Committee," he said.

Meanwhile, Teagasc is advising livestock farmers is to continue grass measurement on a weekly basis to determine grass supply and growth rates on their holdings.

The authority said pasture supply deficits will need to be filled using a combination of grass silage and concentrate supplements, while also considering autumn pasture management targets.

Winter feed stocks will also need to be considered when deciding supplementation strategies.