The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) has said it was left disappointed by the outcome of yesterday's stakeholder meetings on fodder supplies, claiming that "no concrete measures" were agreed.

ICSA president Sean McNamara said farmers "need action now" as pressure continues to build on fodder supplies due to prolonged dry weather.

"We went into the meeting convened by [Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon] to spell out what is happening on farms and to discuss practical measures to deal with what is coming," McNamara commented.

"We came away very disappointed that there are no concrete measures being put in place," he added.

According to the ICSA president, it is "not good enough to simply monitor the situation".

"Winter reserves are being raided and costs are mounting. The minister said that any additional supports will be considered when the full picture is available and in the context of Budget 2027. That is too late," McNamara said.

"Farmers are carrying these extra costs now and we need practical measures and financial support now," he added.

According to McNamara, there are measures that can be taken immediately.

"We need to be allowed to cut riparian areas before September 1 and the deadline for using chemical fertiliser must be extended on a once-off basis," he said.

"We also need to grow what we can now. Farmers need support for seed to get fast growing forage crops into the ground, and we need a plan to get grain and fodder moving to farms that need it, or are going to need it," McNamara added.

He said that the use of winter fodder by farmers now could "leave a much bigger problem in spring".

"Farmers have told us what they need and we brought that to the minister," he said.

"We now need action. Monitoring will not put fodder in a shed or pay the bills on a farm," McNamara added.