FARMERS’ EMERGENCY MEETING ON THE FODDER CRISIS

FARMERS from across north Cork have been urged to attend an emergency meeting taking place tonight (Thursday) at 8.30pm in Mallow’s Hibernian Hotel to discuss the ongoing drought and potential fodder shortages over the winter. The meeting has been called by the north Cork branch of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), whose chair Maurice Walsh said all farmers are welcome to attend.

Speaking on the C103 ‘Cork Today’ show, Mr Walsh said that the current situation is proving hugely stressful for many people across farming community.

“Everything is grand if things are going right for you. But, if you are overstocked and don’t have enough fodder, that becomes a very big mental issue,” said Mr Walsh. “This meeting will give farmers an opportunity to talk to each other, raise issues and ask questions. We are all in this together, and a problem shared is a problem halved. Everybody needs extra fodder, so let’s talk about the problem before it gets out of hand,” said Mr Walsh.

He said that while rain had given farmers a “sense of hope”, this issue can be traced back to the poor weather last winter and the fodder shortages.

He said this had been compounded by the fact that from April there were just four to five weeks of reasonable grass growth before the dry weather hit. “Don’t get me wrong, farmers love the sun and heat as well. But, we need rain to grow grass. We have had seven to eight weeks of drought; now farmers are facing a fodder shortage for the coming winter. It’s a big problem,” said Mr Walsh.

He said that preparations for winter must become a priority for all farmers.

“You don’t wait until the last minute, until things run out. Now is the time for farmers to start thinking if they have enough fodder or if they are overstocked”.

Mr Walsh said overstocking was a big issue for dairy farmers following the abolition of milk quotas, which he said had “shackled” them for 30 years into how much milk they could produce.

“When the quotas went in 2015, farmers upped their numbers. They were told there was a market there for their products, which there is. But, those cattle need to be fed. We are obliged as farmers to keep our animals alive and healthy,” he said.

“So, we will have to see how much of a shortfall there is. I know that, personally, I am about 30 per cent behind in my fodder compared to last year.”

Guest speakers include ICMSA president Pat McCormack; Dairygold nutritionist Liam Stack, who will speak about alternative feed options; and Robert Philpott of the Milkflex loan scheme, as well as an Ulster Bank representative.