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The estimated fodder deficit on Irish farms is 28%, which equates to an average shortage of 207t of silage per farm.
Dry conditions and a deterioration in grass growth to 25kg DM/ha/day has meant that many farmers have been forced to feed first-cut silage and graze silage ground.
Following the results of their fodder census, the interagency fodder committee has outlined the next steps farmers should take if they are facing a winter feed deficit.
Take action now
The group recommended taking action now rather than later, as, in their experience, early action offers a greater selection of options to bridge the gap between supply and demand.
The report said there was “no single solution to filling that gap” and that it had to be addressed from both supply and demand points of view - what stock numbers will be carried next winter and what additional feed can be sourced?
Establish the deficit
The committee recommended establishing the deficit on farm, but in the worst drought-affected areas farmers should assume forage will be fed for the next four weeks.
If the deficit is 20%: They said this could be relatively easily managed over a whole winter by feeding additional meals, but that it would incur a considerable cost.
If the deficit is 50%: This would be far more difficult to manage, the report said. Feeding meals along with very restricted forage was mentioned, but the advice recommended sourcing additional fodder.
Examine the feed demand
Farmers were advised to examine what the demand on their individual farm was and look at ways of reducing that. Scanning cows and selling empties, culls or late-calvers were all mentioned. Also, putting heavy cattle on ad-lib meals and finishing them before winter was suggested.
In big deficits, bank forage immediately
While the limited options available to secure additional fodder was acknowledged, farmers with deficits greater than 40% were advised to secure stocks as soon as possible.
The options available were identified as whole-crop silage for those in cereal areas, buying limited hay/straw and planting of forage crops on early harvested tillage ground or fields earmarked for reseeding.
Have fertiliser ready
The potential for high grass growth when rain comes was cited as the main reason for having fertiliser ready to go in yards. The committee said that a recovery in grass growth in August would make it possible for some farms to take a silage cut in early September. They said adequate and timely fertiliser would be needed to capitalise on that opportunity.
The interagency fodder group plans to conduct a second fodder census on 1 September.
SHARING OPTIONS: