Minister urged to 'start preparing for fodder crisis'
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Minister Martin Heydon should “start preparing for a fodder crisis”, according to Sinn Féin.
Deputy Martin Kenny, who is the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Food, said Minister Heydon should assess fodder stocks as grass growth continues to be impacted by the lack of rainfall in many parts of the country.
The Sligo–Leitrim TD said: “As we are all aware this has been an exceptionally good summer with the prolonged hot weather, which is good news for many but unfortunately for farmers it has severely impacted grass growth.
“In many parts of the country, particularly the south-east, farmers are already feeding their first cut of silage or hay to their livestock, and the grass isn’t growing for them to do a second cut.
“Others are having to supplement with concentrates which is a significant expense for this time of the year.”
Deputy Kenny added that Minister Heydon needs to be prepared for a fodder crisis next spring.
He added that he was echoing calls from farm organisations and politicians to reconvene the National Fodder and Food Security Committee with immediate effect.
Deputy Kenny said: “This is not just an issue for Irish farmers; it is an issue for farmers in England and right across Europe.
“We cannot depend on our neighbours in England or Europe to help us out with fodder as they simply don’t have any to spare.”
Fodder
Deputy Kenny said that the minister and his department need to establish how much fodder there is already in the country and where more can be sourced, if needed.
The Sinn Féin TD said: “While the majority of high protein meal comes from South America, we do get about 25% of feed from the EU.
“This may not be possible this year, as due to the hot weather, harvest yields are down and imported feed is likely to be more expensive than previous years.
“If we don’t get significant rainfall in some parts of the country soon farmers are going to have a very low yield for a second cut of silage or hay, and they are going to be in real trouble come next spring.”
Meeting
Minister Heydon is to invite farm organisations to a meeting next week as concerns over fodder shortages grow.
Teagasc will be asked to present an interim report at the meeting on Tuesday (August 18) on the current status of fodder supplies across the country.
It is understood that invitations for the meeting will be issued by the minister today to farm organisations and Teagasc.
The fodder situation has led to a huge increase in costs in what has already been a difficult year for farmers.
A spokesperson for Minister Heydon told Agriland there is “huge concern about the whole situation” which is being closely monitored.
