Brian Keane: It's a race to make up the winter fodder shortfall - but I've got a few strategies

Doing the fodder budget and having a plan is essential if silage is tight, explains beef and sheep farmer Brian Keane.

Brian Keane from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on his farm. Picture: Patrick Browne

I’ve done a fodder budget for 2024-2025, and from that, I found I was 20% short for the winter. I used 580 bales in 2024 and have made 470 bales so far this year. I’ve put a plan in place to make up the deficit. It won’t be just one thing that makes up the shortfall – it’ll be several strategies. 

I’m going to take a third cut of silage, which I normally wouldn’t do. I’ll also hold onto extra straw from my spring barley crop and feed it if necessary, and I’ve already sourced some bales locally. Doing the fodder budget and having a plan is essential if silage is tight.