Rain playing havoc with farm work
Land is flooded in places, tillage planting, delayed in many areas following the decision to close the sugar industry, has been further disrupted and farmers have begun to ration or purchase scarce fodder supplies.
Prices of €35 per round bale of hay and €25 per bale of silage are being paid, as farmers, who have taken animals off pastures in places, hope for improved weather conditions and better spring grass growth.
As Met Éireann predicted further heavy showers this week, Teagasc reported that a difficult situation exists for farmers regarding fodder, but that it had not yet reached crisis levels.
Teagasc advisory area manager for Tipperary Donal Mullane said fodder and grass are scarce in his area.
“There is a problem but a week of kind weather would make a lot of difference. Grass is starting to grow after a cold and harsh March.”
Mr Mullane said stocks of fodder, hay and silage are running low and any of it being sold has got dear.
“Of course, the winter started earlier too, with a lot of rain in October, so stocks of fodder will have to be built up again over the summer,” he said.
Teagasc advisory area manager for Cork east Jerry McCarthy said the fodder position in his area is quite serious.
“There has been a complete turnaround. We had good grazing conditions, but little or no grass. Now we have some grass but very poor grazing conditions.
“Farmers on heavy land are really suffering,” he said.
