The never-ending winter

We’ve been battling the bad weather since August, say farmers

IRELAND’S farmers have said they are facing catastrophic bills due to the ‘never-ending winter’.

Bad weather has sent the cost of fodder and other feed soaring while some supply shops are out of grain for cattle.

And the devastating weather has no sign of abating, with Met Éireann forecasting further heavy downpours.

Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), said: ‘Farmers are being hit financially, physically and mentally by the extralong winter this year. The winter began on August 6 and the bad weather is still coming.

‘Farmers have been forced to keep their cattle in sheds for much longer and they are battling to stretch their fodder. There is real fatigue among farmers.

‘It is the worst in living memory, and I have been farming for over 20 years. Traditionally we would get a bit of snow, but it happened this year right in the middle of calving season which hit farmers really badly.

‘Farmers would usually have their cattle out by around midFebruary but due to the heavy rain, snow and several storms, animals are still inside and it is very difficult to try to make the fodder last, with farmers having to order more than usual.

‘Costs are escalating and farmers are being hit with catastrophic bills.’

Met Éireann has forecast rain today, widespread frost tomorrow night and rain on Thursday.

Irish Farmers Association spokesman Niall Madigan said farmers were struggling due to the long winter.

He said: ‘The main two issues for farmers is the added cost of buying extra fodder and the added workload, with both causing immense pressure.’

Farmer Ann Mitchell of Menlough, Co. Galway, told RTÉ’s Countrywide: ‘My cattle are in. I attempted to put them out on Wednesday, I got up this morning to flooded fields all around us and now I have to have them back in.’