Food and Feed Security

Technical Advice for Farmers to Improve Food and Feed Security. This advice is from the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC)*. Read more about the NFFSC here

This week is Critical for Grass and Silage – Advice for Farmers Find out more here

Pigs and Poultry | Tillage Crops | Grassland Farmers | Fertiliser survey | Grass Silage Stock Checker

Pigs and Poultry

Read Pig Sector Cashflow Forecast Jan – Dec 2022 (pdf) April Update Graphs – Teagasc Pig Development Dept (pdf)

Update cash flows and financial situation to enable decision making
Assess breeding decisions with the objective of reducing options financial risk and increasing health status
Review feed demand and diet formulation to make sure you are using the most cost efficient diet
Ensure that animal welfare is of the highest standard

Tillage Crops

NEW Tillage Incentive Scheme and Ploughing Grassland for Tillage Crops

Review your 2022 costs and returns projections for each crop
Secure fertilizer supplies for crops
Consider sowing additional protein crops
Investigate opportunities to grow extra cereals, including certified seed production
Consider leasing/renting to a specialised tillage farmer

Grassland Farmers

Complete a feed budget for next winter including a reserve of at least 1 months fodder
Close sufficient area for first cut silage based on fodder budget
Graze swards in rotation at a high quality growth stage (10cm height) to improve animal performance. Skip heavy swards for silage when growth allows
Prioritise available slurry to silage ground and lower fertility fields
For first cut silage, apply enough fertiliser to ensure overall supply of 100 kg/ha (80 units/acre) of Nitrogen from slurry plus fertiliser. Make sure enough P, K and Sulphur is supplied to grow the crop
Roll silage ground as required and where soil conditions are suitable
Plan for lime application this year where low soil pH needs to be addressed. Applying lime on bare ground after first cut is a good opportunity

This week is critical for grass and silage – Advice for farmers

Feed & Food Security

Download as a PDF here This week is Critical for Grass and Silage – Advice for Farmers

Grass Silage Stock Checker

Use our online stock checker here to calculate:

Grass Silage Required for Next Winter
Grass Silage Available for Next Winter

Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Factsheets

Further information

Contact your local Advisory Office for further information and advice. Find your nearest office here

More advice for drystock farmers – Food and Fodder Security

More advice for dairy farmers Food and Fodder Security

Fertiliser Surveys Summary

Drystock | Tillage | Dairy |

Drystock (n=688)

28% of drystock farmers have bought no fertiliser to date
43% are finding it difficult to get fertiliser delivered – 63% of these stating either the merchant cannot guarantee delivery or delivery will be delayed
46% are paying 100% upfront for fertiliser – only 25% being given more than one months credit
87% of drystock farmers plan on spreading less fertiliser on grazing ground – 10 – 30% reduction (43% of farmers) – 30 – 50% reduction (31% farmers)
Only 28% of drystock farmers plan on making more than 75% of their fodder for next winter in 1st cut silage
Farmers plan on spreading less fertiliser on silage ground – 10–20% reduction (37% of farmers), 20–30% reduction (23% of farmers), 30–50% reduction (15% of farmers)

Tillage – key messages (n=440)

Phosphorus & Potassium Fertiliser

69% have >75% of their P & K requirements for the season in stock or awaiting delivery. (41% all requirements)
12% have less than 25% in stock or awaiting delivery. (4% none).

Nitrogen Fertiliser

63% have >75% of their N requirements for the season in stock or awaiting delivery. (35% all requirements) – 13% have less than 25% in stock or awaiting delivery. (3% none)
69% have made no changes to their cropping plans as a result of fertiliser supply/price. If changing – increasing beans, followed by spring oats
72% have already used or plan to use organic manures this season – But unsure how much available or used
31% plan no reduction to normal chemical fertiliser application this year – further 22% plan on a minimal 10 kg/ha reduction

Other issues

55% said they would increase tillage area if more land became available
39% said that access to additional credit is an issue this year

Dairy

Just over half have some fertiliser spread
¾ have reduced application rates YTD
Almost half intend to spread less for silage ground
60% are behind target on grazing ground
1/3 have not yet purchased 50% of the year’s requirement

*The National Fodder and Food Security Committee is tasked by government with preparing an industry response, contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises through a period of high input price inflation and potential supply pressures.