Kerry farmers fret over fodder shortage – but help is at hand
AS fodder supplies shrink and shrink, the messages from prominent figures in Kerry agriculture follow a universal: theme “Don’t panic; We’ve been here before and we can get through it again; There is light at the end of the tunnel; Talk to someone; Keep an eye out for those who’re vulnerable.”
All worthy statements that should, absolutely, be followed. But such statements are made only when a situation is – or is about become – serious. Neither Milltown’s Noel Murphy (ICMSA National Dairy Chairperson); Kielduff’s Kenny Jones (Kerry IFA Chairperson); nor Kenmare’s Independent Councillor Dan McCarthy (Kenmare Mart manager) are pretending otherwise.
“We can see the weather is pretty dire, diabolical, and the mood is low,” says Mr Murphy. “If the weather continues like it is, it’s going to be serious,” says Mr Jones. “It’s unreal the pressure that’s on farmers at the moment,” adds Cllr McCarthy.
What people from a non-farming background may not realise is how many angles to this story need to be considered. Everyone understands that the weather has been bad for months and animals have been housed for far longer than planned. Everyone knows these animals need to be fed and, if you’ve run out, that’s going to cost. But there are many subplots and knock-on effects that aren’t as obvious but carry equal weight.
“You have a loss of income on one side of it because you’re not getting production out of animals,” says Mr Murphy. He provides a “rough estimate” that the drop in milk production alone among a 60-cow herd could cost farmers €1,200 a week currently. “Silage and harvesting will also be pushed back because of this weather, which will have a knock-on effect into next year.”
“The last three or four phone calls I’ve got are from people looking for straw,” says Cllr McCarthy. “They cannot seem to locate straw for bedding animals after they’ve been born, and the government will have to seriously look at this.
“I’ve rang two or three suppliers about straw, I’ve looked up and down the country, and it just doesn’t seem to be coming out of any shed, anywhere.
“Last year we were able to sell the straw at €30 a bale. This year, we were selling it at €60, so you can imagine the cost involved in that. Double the price since last year.”
“What’s troubling farmers most, I think, is how this extra fodder is going to be paid for,” says Mr Jones. “We’ve had months of rain, and very little money has been made out of farming.
“Most people had budgeted for, maybe, the first of April… if you’re talking anything up to €50 for a round bale, 10 cows would eat one of them in a day no bother, so that’s a fiver for each cow.
“Animals that should be out now eating grass, without needing to give them any supplements at all, they continue to be housed all the time, and this is all money that hasn’t been budgeted for.”
All three have thoughts on how the powers that be could support farmers. Among Mr Murphy’s many suggestions is that the current difficulties should be acknowledged in increased milk prices.
Mr Jones has called for a short-term feed subsidy, and greater incentives for tillage farmers; his organisation has been critical of Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue’s announcement of a €100-peracre tillage payment, saying it falls well short of what’s needed.
“The smaller farmer in particular… feels very little support coming their way during these tough times, with the cost of feed for their livestock getting dearer the longer this bad weather continues,” he says.
And all three men sound a similar note on the Minister’s Transport Support Scheme, which provides varying financial contributions towards fodder brought in from over 75 kilometres away. It’s welcome, but “the transport subsidy is fine, but to get the stuff to transport is the biggest trouble,” remarks Cllr McCarthy. Mr Jones doubts that anyone looking to source 20 bales will be inclined to get them transported from over 75 kilometres away.
There are, however, people you can turn to.
The Kerryman understands that Kerry Group recently surveyed farmers to gain a clearer picture of the situation in Kerry and will serve farmers based on the level of difficulty they’re in. Kerry Group has not yet responded to this newspaper’s queries about the exact details of measures the company is taking in response to the fodder shortage.
“We sell straw and hay here in the mart, we have a lot of hay but it’s not of top quality by any means, but at least it’s there,” Cllr McCarthy assures. “Some people are completely out, and trying to get bales to keep them going from week to week is our big thing…I would appeal to the people that have extra silage or hay, make it available to people. Things could turn around next year. If you have a surplus of silage or hay, you can help a neighbour.
“There will be someone to help you out of the siege.”
Most importantly, Mr Murphy says, don’t be afraid to speak up – whether for yourself or on behalf of someone struggling to find their voice:
“It’s important to talk to someone if they’re in difficulty, to their co-op, their merchants, their banks, to communicate if they’re in difficulty. It’s important, too, for neighbours to keep an eye on someone in the area who might be a bit more vulnerable. It comes down to a bit of understanding.”
Contact numbers: Teagasc: 066 712 5077 (Tralee), 064 663 2344 (Killarney), (068) 21266 (Listowel)
Kerry IFA: 087 284 8872 (Kenny Jones), 066 712 3279 (Tralee office)
ICMSA: 061 314 677 Kerry Group: 066 718 2000 Cllr Dan McCarthy: 087 222 4411
THERE WILL BE SOMEONE TO HELP YOU OUT OF THE SIEGE