Farmers with 10 days of fodder left on farms can stretch it to 20 with the right management, according to Teagasc’s southeast regional manager, Siobhan Kavanagh.
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Speaking after the emergency response fodder meeting in Moorepark on Wednesday, Kavanagh said that every Teagasc office will hold a clinic either on Thursday or Friday with advice for all farmers, not just Teagasc clients.
A lot of people have a little bit of a mental block about stretching fodder but it’s relatively straightforward
“Even if grass growth improves in 10 days’ time, it is three weeks realistically before you’re going to have enough grass there to be able to graze correctly,” Kavanagh said. “The big thing is to take action, not to sit on your hands and assume it is going to sort itself out. It’s not.
“A lot of people have a little bit of a mental block about stretching fodder but it’s relatively straightforward.”
Supplementation
Silage can be supplemented with soya hulls, beet pulp and palm kernels. In addition, farmers can alleviate some of the pressure by walking the fields to identify drier ground to put out cows or young stock.
actually get out and walk the farm
“The thing is to get fertiliser out where you can,” said Kavanagh. “I know there’s been an awful lot of rain, particularly in the southeast. But where you can get out on the dry ground. The next thing is to actually get out and walk the farm. Try identify the fields where you can get out to alleviate the pressure on silage stocks.”
She added that approximately 40 farmers have placed fodder on Teagasc’s ‘Forage Register’ but hundreds are seeking some, working out at a ratio of about 5:1.
“We’re hearing of more local trading within discussion groups and among neighbours. There is fodder movement but most people would say to you that there’s 10-12 days in front of them. It is tight, but that’s why we have to stretch what’s there.”
In short:
Rainfall warning: Up to 50mm of rain
More co-ops import fodder to address critical shortage
Watch: 'I have very little feed left' - farmer appeals on fodder crisis