Teagasc/consultants come out well in fodder crisis survey

Most farmers have blamed the wet weather for the fodder crisis that caused havoc in 2012 and earlier this year, although some admitted overstocking was also a key factor when land was saturated, after rain, and fodder stocks ran out. They were asked to rank the causes of the crisis.

1. The main one was the weather for 75%, overstocking for 21%, bad advice for 3%, and “other” reasons for 1%.

2. The second was the weather for 26%, overstocking for 47%, bad advice for 4%, and “other” reasons for 1%.

3. Those who gave a third cause said 7% weather, 3% overstocking, 12% bad advice, 1% “other” reasons.

That relatively few blamed advisers is good news for Teagasc and consultants. The former has been providing regular updated advice since September of last year. It focused on the best ways of coping with lower than normal levels of fodder and poor quality silage and hay. The fodder crisis is now consigned to the past, with a recent Teagasc assessment finding livestock farmers well-positioned for the coming winter, given prudent management of fodder stocks, including this year’s higher-quality silage and hay, and appropriate supplementation with concentrates.