Dairygold, Kerry Group and Glanbia have confirmed that imports of hay, haylage and alfalfa sufficient to cover the fodder needs of around 50,000 cows for a week are on their way to Ireland, with more co-ops expected to source fodder overseas in the face of a national shortage.

Dairygold is importing 2,500t of haylage, landing from this Thursday from the UK at a purchase cost of €90 per big square bale, equivalent to €30 per 4x4 round bale. Dairygold also plans to import from France. Kerry Group is bringing in 2,000 large square bales of hay from the UK, with initial shipments arriving this weekend.

Glanbia is importing 1,000t of alfalfa at 80% dry matter, arriving in its branches on Sunday night. It is also offering its members a €50/t discount on all ruminant feed and milk replacer in April.

Lakeland Dairies has suppliers lined up in the UK and Golden Vale Marts said it was prepared to import fodder if required.

The co-ops said they would sell the fodder to farmers at cost price and cover transport costs but hoped for Government support.

“We will find the funding for this,” Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed told the Irish Farmers Journal after a meeting with the co-ops on Wednesday and discussions with his Finance colleague Paschal Donohoe.

His officials are now preparing a fodder import support scheme. Minister Creed also announced the lifting of the 100km limit on the existing fodder transport scheme within Ireland and an extension for the submission of nitrate derogation plans until 30 April, and promised to meet banks on cashflow credit for farmers.

IFA president Joe Healy called for further action from Minister Creed, including meal vouchers, the roll-out of promised low-cost loans, urgent payment of outstanding farm payments, a suspension of farm inspections and a derogation to the three-crop rule.

Department and co-op representatives agreed on Wednesday that there was less than two weeks’ worth of fodder left in the country, but Teagasc’s Siobhan Kavanagh said: “If you have 10 days it can be stretched to 20 with the right management.”

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