The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has announced the introduction of a new Fodder Transport Support Measure.
The minister told a meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) today (Tuesday, April 9) that the scheme will provide additional assistance to livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged exceptional weather conditions.
The minister said that the new scheme would be operated through the co-op network around the country as it is needed by farmers from today.
Fodder transport scheme
McConalogue said that differing subsidy rates will apply for hay, fodder beet, straw and silage for feeding, which has to be transported over 75km to come to a co-op for distribution to farmers.
Farmers will be eligible to receive a financial contribution towards offsetting the costs of transport of fodder. This payment will be made to co-ops.
This ranges from €20 per 4X4 bale of hay/straw for feeding up to €40 per tonne of pit silage or fodder beet.
The following table provides a full breakdown of the financial transport contribution available under the new measure:
‘As fodder is traded between farms on a regular basis, it is essential that the support measure being announced today is targeted at those who most need it and does not impact on the normal functioning of the market for fodder.
“I am grateful that the co-op structure is supporting the practical implementation of this measure,” the minister said.
The scheme, similar to one rolled out in 2018, will be available to all farmers who are experiencing “a significant forage shortage on their holding”.
It was noted that forage purchased prior to the March 31 (inclusive) is ineligible for the scheme.
Applications
Application forms will be available on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) website shortly.
To avail of the scheme farmers will have to submit a completed application form signed by the farmer and a completed co-op declaration form signed by the co-op.
Eligibility to receive funding under the Fodder Transport Support Measure 2024 is dependent on the applicant remaining within the €20,000 individual aid limit in the 2021-2024 fiscal years.
Where any aid awarded exceeds this amount, the department said that no payment will issue.
Helplines
Minister McConalogue told the committee that it is a really stressful and lonely time for farmers across all enterprises.
“It’s really important that everybody at local level just reaches out and supports one another at this time too because it is it is particularly difficult,” he said.
Teagasc is currently operating two helplines for tillage and grassland farmers for a two-week period up to Saturday April 20.
Farmer who wish to avail of the helplines can do so between Monday and Saturday from 9:00a.m to 9:00p.m.
A voicemail can be left outside of these hours to request a call back.
The numbers are:
Teagasc National Crops Helpline – 059 918 3533;
Teagasc National Grassland Helpline – 059 918 3155.
Advisors and specialists, led by Pearse Kelly and Michael Hennessy, will be available to provide advice over the phone to assist farmers in making decisions to cope with the difficulties caused by the weather.
The helplines are open to all farmers seeking advice in coping with the ongoing wet weather and challenging soil conditions.