Processors not keen to go down culling route

THE COUNTRY’S leading milk processors in the drought-stricken east and south are not encouraging suppliers to reduce cow numbers despite the severe shortage of winter fodder and fears that sufficient feed stocks will not be available to import this winter.

A Teagasc fodder survey forecast a 28pc shortfall in fodder stocks for the winter ahead as a result of the ongoing drought. The total volume of silage needed is put at between six and eight million tonnes.

However, when contacted by the Farming Independent on their advice to milk suppliers, Arrabawn, Dairygold, Lakelands and Glanbia said they were not instructing suppliers to cut cow numbers.

“Suppliers are not being encouraged to offload stock,” said an Arrabawn spokesman said.

A spokesman for Glanbia said that there was “no one-size-fits-all solution” to the current problems on farms. “We are advising farmers to do feed budgets and devise a plan,” a spokesman said.

A Dairygold spokesperson said: “In the context of the prolonged drought and fodder shortages, Dairygold is supporting its members as they examine all mitigating options in line with their individual circumstances and requirements. Typically at this time of year, milk suppliers review their individual cow performance through their milk recordings and poor performers are removed from the herd.”

A Lakelands spokesman said: “Dairy stocking rate varies from farm to farm depending on land type, location, production system and prevailing weather conditions. We have advisors who work with individual farmers and give them advice on sustainable farming systems.”

In contrast, Teagasc is urging some milk suppliers to reduce cows where holdings are highly stocked and there is a severe shortage of both grass and fodder.

Dairy specialist George Ramsbottom said the advice to dairy farmers differed according to their individual circumstances but he said some farmers were being encouraged to cut numbers.

Tony Markey of the Irish Grain and Feed Association told last week’s meeting of the Inter-Agency Fodder Committee that importing additional cereals and high-fibre straights this winter to make up the shortfall in domestic fodder supplies was not an option.