Call for fodder support scheme as more rain to wreak havoc

Farm group puts pressure on minister ahead of latest deluge of wet weather

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is under pressure to introduce a fodder support scheme as farms are set to be hit with more wet weather this week.

After persistent inclement weather since the autumn, Met Éireann has forecast further unsettled conditions for the days ahead, with rainfall amounts predicted to be between one and 2.2 times the normal level.

It’s another blow to farmers after Connacht, Munster and the north midlands experienced rainfall amounts between 24pc and 78pc above average last week.

With cattle housed in many parts of the country since last September and in most other areas since early October, ICMSA has called for the immediate introduction of a fodder support scheme for all farmers and IFA said “urgent supports” are needed for tillage farmers amid a “deepening crisis on farms due to the ongoing wet weather”.

ICMSA President Denis Drennan said the winter period has placed an enormous mental strain on farmers from a financial and personal perspective.

Drennan also called for inspections to be “put aside” for now in recognition of the difficult weather and ground conditions farmers are dealing with.

“We know from communications and contact with our farmer members and the wider industry that cashflow at farm level is extremely tight, and it’s also becoming clear that jobs that would normally be complete at this stage of the year have not even commenced across all farm sectors,” he said.

Drennan refuted claims by those who say repeated fodder crises in recent years validates their views about climate change and accusations of overstocking.

Reality

“The reality is that it started raining mid-June last year and hasn’t stopped since — farmers and non-farmers know this,” he said.

“Second-cut silage was poor and third cut almost non-existent, while straw quality was poor due to the wet weather.

“Cattle were housed in September in some parts of the country and early October in the remainder, and they are effectively ‘in’ since.

“To suggest this is due to overstocking points to a complete misunderstanding of the situation and is an insult to farmers who are having to deal with a very difficult situation and who have done a tremendous job to date.”

IFA President Francie Gorman said while all sectors are suffering, the tillage sector is at breaking point as farmers are not able to plant their crops.

“It is stated Government policy to increase the amount of tillage in the country, but instead, it is contracting.

“The Government must come forward with urgent supports to keep tillage farmers in business. If the Government doesn’t act now, lasting damage will be done,” he said.

“Tillage had a horrendous time since last autumn and incurred big losses in the last harvest. The ongoing weather conditions have delayed planting and sowing.

“I have raised this directly with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture. I have made it clear to them that Government intervention is critical and it cannot be delayed.”

Meanwhile, Macra last week called on Mr McConalogue to reconvene the National Food Security and Fodder Resilience Committee to address the challenges faced by farmers.