'The supplies have run out so this hay is a lifesaver’

Dan Hallissey has been farming full time in Ballymakeera, Co Cork, for 26 years, and this has been the longest winter housing period for livestock that he has had to deal with.

Mr Hallissey, who has 65 cows and 70 dry cattle, said the animals have been on silage since October.

After resorting last week to sourcing fodder locally, yesterday he collected an emergency batch from the Co-op Stores in Ballymakeera