Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President John Bryan has commended the effort of farm families to secure adequate supplies of winter fodder following the publication of a a fodder census survey today.

The census indicates that farmers surveyed have enough silage and hay for a 140-day feeding period this winter.  

According to Bryan more silage and hay was saved this year for sale and any farmer who still feels he is short should look at all options early on.

The survey of 1,240 farmers showed that there is an overall average surplus of eight per cent across the country. The survey was carried out in the week commencing 1 September by Teagasc and other organisations participating in the Inter Agency Fodder Committee.

While overall the survey indicates that there are adequate fodder stocks in the country, the survey found that one in five farmers had a deficit. On the farms with a deficit, this shortage is 19 per cent on average. The survey showed that 22 per cent of farmers intend to sell some livestock to balance their feed budget this autumn.