Don’t delay if short on fodder
A key message emerging from the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, which took place in Oak Park Carlow, today, September 7, was the continued importance of farmers acting now rather than waiting until winter or spring.
Chair of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, Mike Magan, said: “The situation has improved in some respects since we last met, particularly with the recovery in grass growth, but the underlying fodder challenge has not disappeared. There are areas, particularly in the South-east, where farmers remain under very considerable pressure.
“The strongest message from today is that there is a lot that can still be done now. Farmers should assess their own position, make the best possible use of grass growth over the coming weeks, complete both fodder and financial budgets and address any likely shortfall early.”
Through the committee, farmers were encouraged to:
- Maximise production of feed on farm for the remainder of the autumn by making the most of the current recovery in grass growth and by measuring farm cover and planning grazing through the autumn;
- Use fertiliser and slurry sensibly and judiciously within the existing application periods, taking account of both agronomic requirements and water-quality considerations;
- Complete and regularly update fodder budgets, while also preparing financial budgets for the months ahead;
- Maximise the appropriate use of existing catch and cover crops where these can contribute additional feed – including where opportunities arise after early harvesting of maize;
- Identify fodder shortages early to facilitate the movement of fodder from areas where supplies are available to those experiencing deficits; and
- Maintain contact with advisors, neighbours and support services, recognising the additional financial and personal pressures being experienced by some farm families.
Fertiliser advice
The meeting re-iterated current fertiliser advice for farmers to consider the application of chemical nitrogen on grassland over the next week before the 14th of September, and the judicious use of slurry over the next month to grow grass.
Where grass growth rates are above 35 kgs DM per hectare, consider applying 25kg N/ha (20 units N /acre). Where growth rates are lower, consider applying 15 kg N/ha (12 units N /acre).
The meeting also re-iterated the importance of farmers taking into consideration that declining day length will soon start to curtail grass growth and that excessive fertiliser applications will not be used efficiently as a result.
Additional supports
Teagasc has intensified its advisory response in the areas most affected by the drought. To date, five regional fodder webinars have attracted 278 participants, more than 20 fodder clinics have been held with 334 farmers attending, and fodder budgeting messages have been supported by local radio, social media, mart activity and other advisory communications.
“There is no single solution to this challenge,” Mike Magan continued. “It will require sensible management on farms, movement of fodder where it is available, good advice and communication, and continued cooperation right across the industry. One of the real strengths of this Committee is the willingness of organisations to work together and help farmers through a difficult period.”
Committee attendees also proposed and discussed a range of additional measures and supports which they considered could assist affected farmers. These included the cost and logistics of transporting fodder between regions, access to finance and possible financial supports, greater utilisation of catch crops, potential regulatory flexibilities, and arrangements which could provide greater confidence to farmers producing or selling additional fodder.
The importance of farmer wellbeing and mental health was also strongly emphasised. Members encouraged farmers experiencing pressure not to deal with problems in isolation, but to speak with family, neighbours, advisers, farming organisations or appropriate professional support services.
The movement of fodder sooner rather than later was advised and opportunities for the sector to work together on transport options, and utilising backloads on existing journeys for other products, was discussed and encouraged.
Stress on farmers who have had to feed winter stocks to livestock this summer was acknowledged. Several participants at today’s meeting highlighted the importance of talking to other farmers, advisers and professionals, and that a problem shared is a problem halved.
Chairman Mike Magan said: “Longer-term, there is a need to build greater resilience into the farming system. Those farmers that carried over fodder stocks from last winter have been better positioned to cope with the summer drought.”
The presentation from today’s meeting is available here.
Also read: Grass growth recovering, but supplementary feeding ongoing