Fodder production incentive 'badly needed' as farmers fear for winter

In 2018, a scheme for tillage farmers was introduced to encourage them to sow forage crops on their land to reduce the feed deficit in the country. 

Farmers are calling for the introduction of a fodder production incentive measure, similar to the one in 2018, to offset fodder shortages over the winter. 

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president Sean McNamara said that grass growth is well down on where it needs to be and, as a result, cattle are being fed from the first cuts of silage, eating into what should be stored for the winter. 

"This does not bode well for the winter, and a scheme similar to the one introduced in 2018 is badly needed," Mr McNamara said.

2018 scheme

In 2018, a similar scheme for tillage farmers was introduced to encourage them to sow forage crops on their land to reduce the feed deficit in the country. 

This measure provided an incentive of €155 per hectare to grow a temporary crop of short-rotation grasses for fodder production over the winter months and €100 per hectare for those growing catch crops.

Under the scheme, some 19,400 hectares were planted - with 13,400 hectares made up of brassica crops including forage rape, stubble turnips, kale and rape hybrids. 

A further 6,000 hectares were made up of grasses including Westerwold ryegrass and Italian ryegrass. The minimum area that farmers could plant under the scheme was three hectares, while the maximum area for payment was 50 hectares. Over 1,700 farmers participated in the scheme.

Fodder and feed committee

Latest figures from PastureBase Ireland show a 1.2t DM/ha reduction in total grass growth for the first six months of the year when compared to the previous five-year average with most farms 15-20% back on growth rate for the year to date.

"ICSA will bring our concerns to the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, which will convene next Monday," Sean McNamara continued. 

"Grass growth has been bad for all of April, May, and June, and this will have serious repercussions in terms of shortages over the winter. 

Action must be taken now to protect farming enterprises from the severe hardship associated with lack of fodder, and the best option we have is to bring farmers into a scheme that is designed to bolster fodder and feed supplies. 

"Furthermore, the scheme should be opened to all farmers, not just tillage farmers. All hands will be needed on deck if we want to ensure we have enough feed to go around. 

"This means farmers with grassland must also be incentivised to grow catch crops for their own use or to sell on. All available land must be utilised to ensure all farmers can make it through this winter.”