Weather costs farmers €100m
The weather conditions have compounded a disastrous year for farm families with many facing a 7,000 cut in income.
“Only a carry-over of sileage and hay from last winter helped to stop a feeding crisis on farms, but the problem is how are the animals to be fed this winter,’’ said Pat O’Rourke, president of the ICMSA.
“The results of the survey clearly highlight the problems being encountered by farmers and the significantly increased costs being suffered by farm families this summer.
“The sense of despair among farmers is evident despite the recent improvement in the weather. The fact that virtually all farmers said their current position is worse than the last year of severe weather in 1998 tells all,” he said.
The Teagasc Report, while confirming the ICMSA results, is inadequate, Mr O’Rourke says, in that it does not show the extent of the problem or provide us with any solutions.
“This must be done and I have written to the Taoiseach to request that Teagasc do a full assessment of losses and extra costs on farming, as was agreed when ICMSA met Mr Ahern earlier this month. “In 1998, the Government provided significant financial aid to farmers. Given that substantial losses have already been incurred in 2002 and will not be recouped, we are renewing the plea for financial aid of 50m to help farmers overcome the wet weather crisis,’’ added Mr O’Rourke.
The Teagasc report, released on Tuesday, shows that the wet weather is having a disastrous effect on agriculture.
“In wetland areas and on intensively stocked farms, dairy cows are being fed up to 5kgs of meal extra per day to get them to produce more milk,’’ said a spokesman for Teagasc.
“Cereal crops have been subjected to high disease pressures leading to a 30% increase in spraying costs. Large amounts of maize, sugar beet and barley will fail unless there is a dramatic change in the weather.
“Our vegetable growers have been badly affected also and a number of crops like broccoli and cauliflower have suffered total losses,’’ he said.
Mr O’Rourke said a lot of farmers have called him saying they are not happy with the report. “Some in the West are in serious difficulties and they need help not sympathy. Teagasc needs to tell Government how much money is needed to keep farmers in business. We will keep on at them until they release financial figures which they promised in the first place,” he said.
