Dairygold unveils members feed rebate initiative

IN a bid to help ease the mounting pressure on members as a result of the recent drought conditions, Dairygold has announced it has introduced a feed rebate that will remain in effect until the end of September.

The measure, which will see a €10-pertonne rebate on all purchases of compound ruminant feeds, is in addition to a raft of what the company described as “intervention and mitigation” measures introduced to address potential fodder shortage issues.

These include interest-free credit to all members on feed and fertiliser purchases until the end of September, ‘grass extender’ feed options, and the facility to link member grain growers with livestock farmers for direct farm-to-farm catch crop trading.

Commenting on the feed rebate initiative, Dairygold Chairman John O’Gorman said their priority was to “introduce measures to help alleviate the current grass shortage while pro-actively addressing the real potential for winter fodder shortages”.

He said the society recognised that drought had created “stress and anxiety” for many farmers.

“As a positive initiative, this €10-per-tonne rebate will be a welcome additional financial support for farmers whose feed costs have increased as a result of the prolonged drought which has negatively impacted grass growth,” said Mr O’Gorman.

“We are working tirelessly to support our members in every way through financial support; technical and agronomy advice; feed options; and feed planning, and will continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks,” he added.

Throughout the month of August, Dairygold will also hold a series of workshops across its catchment area to give practical and specific advice on grass, forage budgets and feed plans for the upcoming autumn and winter.

“These measures are designed to support farmers, mitigate the current grass shortages and to facilitate the provision of sufficient fodder for the coming winter,” said Mr O’Gorman.

“We are advising members to contact their area sales manager and/or our Agri Inside sales team on 022 31644 for further information or help with fodder budgets and fertiliser strategies.”