Teagasc advises farmers to preserve fodder for winter

Teagasc is advising every farmer to put a good fodder and financial plan in place to get through next winter.

It says options to ensure there is sufficient feed in yards for livestock should now be considered. The authority is also urging farmers to make the most efficient use of grass grown for the remainder of 2013.

Farmers are also being advised to plan for the inevitable cash flow issues created by large feed bills from the winter of 2012/2013.

Teagasc recently outlined what farmers need to do when it held a walk on the farm of Peter and Margaret Duggan at Killeenleigh, Kanturk, Co Cork. The event was organised by Teagasc Advisory Kanturk, in conjunction with the IFA and local co-ops.

Teagasc will carry out a national fodder audit at the start of July and October.

Siobhan Kavanagh, Teagasc nutrition specialist, said it is critical for every farmer to complete a fodder audit in the coming weeks and to formulate strategies to deal with any impending feed deficits.