Fodder production and conservation ‘critical to future agri-food exports’

Fodder production and conservation will play a critical role in Ireland’s ambitions to build agri-food exports in the coming years, said Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

The minister said the Food Harvest 2020 committee will devote a session of its next meeting to examining the fodder situation and the outlook for the remainder of the year. He has requested the interagency fodder committee, chaired by Tom Kelly, to report to the Food Harvest 2020 high-level implementation committee, which he chairs, on the actions being taken and the progress being made in regards to next winter’s fodder provisions.

Mr Coveney said: “Central to meeting the ongoing targets set out under Food Harvest 2020 in the case of the dairy and meat sectors is a strategic approach to fodder production and conservation.

“The firm focus now shifts to growing and conserving fodder for next winter’s needs. The recent adjustments to the Nitrates regulations agreed with my colleague in Government, Minister Hogan, will support this focus and in particular help towards the conservation of additional fodder later into the autumn,” he said

“The committee is not only monitoring the fodder situation, but it is also co-ordinating actions over the coming months to ensure there is sufficient fodder conserved for next winter,” Mr Coveney said.

Fodder was also a primary focus for the 1,200 sheep farmers who attended the recent Teagasc sheep open day in Athenry, Co Galway. Teagasc experts advised attendees on securing adequate fodder stocks for next winter.