Fodder crises ‘twice as likely’ in coming decades

Silage quality is key to good animal performance and reducing winter feed costs during the housing period.

Events such as the fodder crisis of 2018 are twice as likely to occur in the coming decades, according to research from lecturers at University College Cork.

In 2018, Ireland saw exceptional rainfall in the spring, which resulted in the exhaustion of winter fodder, and unprecedented months of summer without rain, resulting in major issues for farmers and a severe feeding deficit.