Fodder dealers and hauliers say that sales of hay, straw and silage have been effectively suspended as buyers and sellers await news of a fodder subsidy scheme from the Department of Agriculture.

Expected more than a week ago, no details have yet emerged about how the scheme will operate.

Minister Creed has said that a subsidy from his Department would “be a targeted contribution towards long-distance transport of fodder to those areas most impacted by the adverse weather.”

Unclear

However, it remains unclear how much money will be allocated to the fund, what farmers will be deemed eligible and how the subsidy can be claimed.

Farm organisations have called for both a transpolrt subsidy and a meal voucher system.

This week, fodder dealers and hauliers told the Irish Farmers Journal that the market was being distorted as farmers delay purchasing fodder for fear they would lose out on a potential discount on the haulage or the fodder itself.

Sellers, too, have been slow to close deals in the past week or two, reluctant to sell before the scheme details are known.

Worried

Even where deals are done, farmers are worried that they could lose out on a potential discount.

“I delivered fodder to Mayo on Saturday and they wanted to know if they paid for the load then, would they be entitled to a refund,” one Kildare haulier told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“Farmers who are regular buyers in Roscommon wanted to know if I knew anything about the scheme, hinting that they might not order stuff until they know what’s happening,” he added.

“Everyone, including ourselves, is hoping the Department will come out and say something. Next week is no good to anyone with cattle in the shed today.”

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