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It’s no secret demand for fodder is high this winter.
Bales of silage, pit silage hay and straw are making above-normal prices, such is the demand for feeding. The shortage is not just confined to wetter parts of the country.
Silage-making was hampered in a lot of areas, including those not used to poor weather during the silage making season.
Nonetheless, when cows or cattle need feeding, different options must be looked at.
A farmer on Bere Island off the coast of Castletownbere, West Cork, contacted beet grower Con Twomey to see if he could help, as fodder is in short supply on the small island.
Con grows both fodder and sugar beet for sale to farmers all across Munster and beyond.
“Demand is particularly high this year as a lot of straw that would have been traditionally fed was not saved, along with the shortage in silage.
“This has put added pressure on the straw that was baled across the country and, in turn, on demand for beet – the phone is hopping.”
Getting there
The island runs daily ferries from the mainland and can cater for cars and trucks.
To get the truck to the island, it was sent on a roll-on roll-off ferry. Con travelled with his Volvo FM 13 rigid truck on the short scenic crossing.
A brief journey at the other side and he was back on board before the tide changed.
According to Con “it’s a long journey to get to the island, but being a farmer myself I know the pressure people are under this year for feed”.
“I know they really appreciate the effort, that makes it worthwhile.”
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