“Grass growth over the winter period has yielded strong pasture covers on farms, however, difficult weather conditions are delaying or restricting turnout. The challenge is more pronounced in certain parts of the country particularly where early grazing is a key management tool.”
Teagasc has advised that silage is available to purchase, and that some farmers had included the option of purchasing fodder in their winter feed budgeting plans.
The Minister added: “It is important that the Committee establishes the most up to date facts regarding the fodder and feed situation on farms and provides advice to assist farmers through this challenging period.”
‘At breaking point’
Meanwhile, this week the Irish Farmers’ Association said there is a deepening crisis on farms due to the ongoing wet weather. The association’s president, Francie Gorman said that while all sectors are suffering, the tillage sector is at breaking point as farmers are not able to plant their crops.
“It is stated Government policy to increase the amount of tillage in the country, but instead it is contracting. The Government must come forward with urgent supports to keep tillage farmers in business. If the Government doesn’t act now, lasting damage will be done,” he said.
“Tillage had a horrendous time since last autumn and incurred big losses in the last harvest. The ongoing weather conditions have delayed planting and sowing. The situation arising from Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine is causing huge uncertainty in grain markets leaving farmers in a precarious position,” he said.
“I have raised this directly with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture. I have made it clear to them that Government intervention is critical, and it cannot be delayed,” he said. He said the ongoing weather conditions are placing all farmers under serious pressure and adding to stress levels for families.
“Farmers are under huge pressure at present. It is hugely difficult get into our fields to plant crops or graze our animals. This is putting extra costs into the system and leading to a much heavier work load. We need Government, input suppliers, processors and banks to do all they can to support farmers in the coming days and weeks,” he said.