As revealed in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal Dairygold, Kerry Group and Glanbia are all importing hay, haylage and alfalfa over the coming days to help their suppliers with fodder shortages.

Some co-ops have supplies of maize silage or have sourced enough for their suppliers locally.

Dairygold

Dairygold has started to import 2,500t of haylage from the UK at a purchase cost of €90 per big square bale, equivalent to €30 per 4x4 round bale. Plans are also afoot to import fodder from France.

Kerry Group

Kerry Group is bringing in 2,000 large square bales of hay from the UK, with initial shipments arriving this weekend.

Glanbia

Glanbia is importing 1,000t of alfalfa at 80% dry matter which is to arrive at 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

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

Fodder imports loaded onto Nolan Transport haulage at Rosslare on Thursday.

Arrabawn

Arrabawn has procured fodder from the south east region for its suppliers who are short on fodder and, as a contingency, will be importing bales of hay over the weekend.

LacPatrick

LacPatrick has secured 4,000t of maize silage for its suppliers who are short of fodder. It has also contacted suppliers asking for those with silage reserves as well as those running low to get in contact.

LacPatrick is compiling a database of those farmers and will put those with fodder in contact with those who do not.

Aurivo

Aurivo has a reasonable supply of native hay and silage and overall demand has not been excessive in this region to date, the co-op said.

However, Aurivo urges any farmers with a predicted shortfall to get in touch with their farmer facing team as soon as possible.

Drinagh Co-op

Drinagh Co-op imported fodder on Thursday from the UK for its suppliers. It will be available in its branches.

Lisavaird

Lisavaird Co-op will import hay from abroad this weekend and next week will import haylage from the UK. This will be distributed through local branches and there is some access to pit silage locally with its suppliers.

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What co-ops are bringing in fodder and when?

Co-ops around the country are sourcing fodder for farmers who have little or none left, here’s what co-ops are importing fodder over the coming days and which ones have other supports in place.