More evidence fodder crisis hit hard in South
The heavy impact of the spring fodder shortage on southern counties is clear from the 211 applications from Co Cork in the fodder transport support measure, out of a total of 534 applications.
The figures support Teagasc estimations that the farms most severely affected in 2018 were those in the southern half of the country on dry ground, with heavy stocking rates.
The fodder transport support measure was announced in January, providing a contribution to the cost of transporting fodder, sourced through the co-ops, from areas of surplus to areas in need.
It was targeted only at areas of fodder scarcity not serviced by normal local trading.
By mid-April, only 45 applications had been received, including 16 Clare, 12 in Co Donegal, and eight in Co Roscommon.
The separate fodder import support measure contribution to transport costs of fodder from other EU states made €1.5m available to support importation of up to 20,000 tonnes of fodder.
Processing of the 534 fodder transport support applications is ongoing.
Applications in Co Cork were more than four times greater than in any other county.
There were 52 applications in Donegal and 51 in Clare.
Elsewhere in Munster, there were 38 applications in Kerry, nine in Limerick, 34 in Tipperary, and one in Waterford.
Galway had 25, Cavan 16, Roscommon 31, Leitrim 18, Mayo 19, and Sligo 14.
