Warning that fodder shortage and floods will result in livestock cuts

By Ray Ryan

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

FARMERS will be forced to reduce livestock because of the fodder shortage, which has got worse because of the current flooding, the Government was warned yesterday.

Labour spokesperson on agriculture, Sean Sherlock TD, said a Teagasc survey last September showed that one in three farmers did not have adequate supplies of fodder.

Given the disastrous weather he was certain this had risen.

He said 2009 has been a poor year for silage and this has compounded the situation.

Farmers will now have to reduce stock in a market already deflated. This is just not tenable.

Prices for silage bales are ranging from €15 to €35 per bale at present. This, coupled with silage rotting in pits and slurry spreading curtailed until January, will impact negatively on incomes.

"If farmers cannot buy silage cheaper than €35 per bail then purchasing meal will be the only option for them to maintain stock," he said.

Mr Sherlock called for Government measures to ensure that animal welfare concerns can be addressed and that cattle can be fed.

"The areas which came under the Teagasc study are north-west Cork, west Limerick, Galway north-west and Cavan.

"However, given the weather we have had in the past week, the rest of the country is now in a similar situation and most farmers will encounter fodder shortage."

South Tipperary Senator Phil Prendergast said farmers seriously affected by flooding should be eligible for compensation.

"I support the IFA’s call for the immediate disbursement of any payments due to farmers to help alleviate the further hardship heaped upon farmers after what has already been a very bad year," she said.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, November 25, 2009