Louth farmers facing fodder crisis as wet spell continues
Two Louth politicians have highlighted the difficulty faced by cattle farmers who are facing a fodder crisis as they cannot put cattle out to graze as fields are water logged due to the exceptionally wet weather.
Fine Gael councillor John Reilly has written to Minister Charlie McConalogue for Agriculture calling for the reinstatement of the Fodder Scheme due to the very wet spring this year, which has resulted in most livestock still being kept indoors and a delay in the sowing of spring crops.
“Fodder stock is at an all-time low and the availability of this is getting more expensive,” said Cllr Reilly, who is calling for the reinstatement of the Fodder Scheme to help compensate farmers for the financial losses they are now facing due to the particularly wet conditions this Spring.
“Spring crops such as barley have not been sown yet, even in areas of County Louth which are usually extremely dry. Normally, the sowing of cereal crops would start on the March 17, but now we are in the first weeks of April and large amounts of land still have to be ploughed and cultivated, as this has also had a knock-on effect due to the wet weather,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed confirmation from her party colleague, Minister McConalogue, that his Department has paused farm inspections not specifically required to support payments until April 22 in light of the challenging conditions on farms. Teagasc has also been asked to establish a system for co-ordinating advisory supports to help farmers maximise existing fodder stocks and provide a basis for those with surpluses to engage with those who are struggling.
“I am extremely conscious of the pressure on local farm families as a result of the continuing adverse weather conditions,” Senator McGreehan said. “Fodder supplies are being depleted and this is clearly of serious concern for livestock and tillage farmers. In particular, turning stock out to grass and the sowing of spring cereals has been impacted.
“I welcome the Minister’s confirmation that his Department has paused farm inspections that are not specifically required to support payments until April 22. Teagasc is also establishing a system for co-ordinating advisory supports to help farmers maximise existing fodder stocks and provide a basis for those with surpluses to engage with those who are struggling.”