Two in five dairy farms short of fodder

The updated September results now include second-cut silage and the majority of third-cut silage crops and also reflects the silage used due to below-average growth rates and varying weather challenges in certain regions.

More than a third (34%) of drystock farms and two-fifths (42%) of Irish dairy farms are expected to have a fodder deficit heading into the winter.

The Teagasc national fodder survey polled around 650 farms across the country.

Nationally, around 20% of farms have a small deficit to fill, but 18% of farms have a deficit of greater than 10% to fill and must act now.

The provisional survey completed in late June after first-cut silage indicated an emerging deficit on a significant proportion of farms.

The updated September results now include second-cut silage and the majority of third-cut silage crops and also reflects the silage used due to below-average growth rates and varying weather challenges in certain regions.

The provisional data in June had shown dairy and drystock farms were, on average, 10% behind target for winter feed requirements. This was contingent on achieving normal second-cut yields and grazing season length.

However, grass performance has been poor over the last few months. PastureBase data has shown a 1.2t Dry Matter per hectare reduction year to date versus the five-year average, with over 75% of farms that are actively recording data on PastureBase significantly behind target for average farm cover.

The national results show that 62% of farms have fully secured their winter feed (including one month reserve), with a further 20% showing minor deficits of less than 10% of winter feed requirements. Second cuts were reported as light in most parts of the country and this has further affected feed reserves. 

Of the remaining farms, approximately 6% reported significant deficits of 20% or greater, which is an improvement on the June position. Nonetheless, with some of these farms already feeding silage due to lower-than-target grass covers, there is concern that such deficits could well increase before the normal winter housing date.

Of the four regions, farmers in the "South" region, defined as Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford, fared among the worst, with just 55% of dairy enterprises and 59% of drystock farms fully prepared for the winter, compared to 61% of South East dairy farmers and 74% of drystock farmers in the North West.

Half of respondents said they have already taken action to secure additional forage. Approximately 30% of respondents expected to have cash flow issues over the winter period as a result of having to purchase additional feed.

Other results from the survey showed that 60% of farmers intended to reduce stock to lower feed demand, such as empty or poor-performing cows and heavier cattle.

Worryingly, the wet summer has meant that only 54% of respondents had slurry tanks emptied at this point, so it is crucial that farmers take opportunities in the coming days to get slurry nutrients to the most suitable parts of the farm.

Commenting on the results, Teagasc ruminant nutrition specialist Aisling Claffey said: “Nationally, farms have made good progress since June in securing enough winter feed, but there remains a significant number with shortage issues. 

"We encourage all farmers to complete a fodder budget for their farm if they have not already done so; take early and appropriate action to secure fodder and/or reduce demand. 

"It is important to test silage quality and prioritise the best quality silage for freshly calved cows and young growing stock. If lower grade forage is bought, ensure this is fed to cows during the dry period and reserve the better quality silage for next spring.” 

Teagasc head of advisory services Tom Curran added: ”While our client farms are broadly on target for winter feed, a significant proportion of farms need to be watchful of winter feed stocks in the coming weeks and months. 

"The options to fix shortages are better value and more plentiful, if early action is taken. We would like to thank again all the farmers who completed the survey, and I encourage any farmer with concerns on this issue to contact our local offices for independent advice. 

"We encourage all farmers to do their own individual fodder budget to assess the situation on their own farm, and to assess appropriate diet formulations based on silage quality and feeding value.”