Duhallow IFA seeks solutions to dire shortage of fodder
The difficult weather conditions since last summer have left many farmers facing a shortage of fodder during the winter and now into spring as excessive rainfall and a Siberian chill keep cattle from moving outdoors.
According to Duhallow IFA, farmers are facing significant challenges, not helped by the inclement weather over the past six months.
“With the continuous bad weather in Western Duhallow and in particular since last July, it has made farming activity very difficult and almost impossible, to carry on in any reasonable shape,” a Duhallow IFA spokesperson said.
“The situation was exacerbated by the requirement to house cattle, in some cases since last August due to saturated ground conditions which has increased the overall farm demand for fodder due to the longer than usual winter housing period,” Duhallow IFA added.
Frustrations and concerns were highlighted at a special meeting with Teagasc and farmers are hopeful that actions will follow from the discussions on making fodder available at reasonable prices.
“With the objective to hopefully ease the burden somewhat and make an effort to go some way to alleviate the very testing position some of those in most need find themselves in, IFA in Duhallow region had a meeting with Teagasc with the aim to source some fodder. It envisages that if some fodder became available to both bodies it will be able to put those in most need in the way of same and thus go some way to stave off a free for all in fodder sales” said the IFA spokesman.
Duhallow IFA say there are other sources of fodder available at a reasonable price and the advisory service will be able to make people aware of the value of these, thus reducing dependence to a certain degree on silage and straw. The Duhallow body advises the importance for every farmer to take stock of their own situation and to act accordingly.
Teagasc can be contacted at 029 -50886 or 087-6572262, further information available from Duhallow IFA Region at 087-6988105 or 087-2452569 or by contacting the Cork IFA office at 021 4545944.