No let-up in fodder crisis

THE arrival of heavy rain on Wednesday dampened local farmers’ hopes for an ease in the ongoing fodder crisis.

 

While there was some sunshine over the May Bank Holiday weekend, Clare IFA chairman Andrew Dundas said the wet weather was another setback, particularly for the heavy soil predominantly in the west of the county.

Mr Dundas confirmed there is still a brisk demand for fodder despite the production of additional bales from Shannon Airport, which has now provided a total of 2,300.

While grass has started to grow, he warned it will take a while before growth reaches necessary levels, particularly if land doesn’t get the required heat.

“Clare farmers need a period of dry weather. Clare IFA are hoping that imported fodder, which is coming on stream, will help bridge the gap,” he said.

A special taskforce to address the carryover effects of prolonged bad weather over the past 12 months has found this will continue to impact farming into the future.

The taskforce, which includes people from farming organisations, the Department of Agriculture, agri-businesses, banks and Teagasc, was established last September to address the weather and farming crises and to co-ordinate an effective response.

Teagasc regional manager Brendan Henagan said the difficult weather is continuing to take its toll on farmers and their families.

“People understandably feel down but they have been heartened by great support from everybody. There is great sense of community which comes to the fore in difficult times and it’s been great to hear of all the fine examples of neighbour helping neighbour.”

The Special Fodder Helpline 091 845852, operated by Teagasc, will continue to operate until mid-May.
Coolmore have donated 1,500 bales of hay and a pit of silage, which the IFA have distributed to special cases in association with the Department of Agriculture.

Kerry Agribusiness and Dairygold are bringing in hay from England with the help of the Government Transport Subsidy and this is being sold at cost price.

The number of “fallen animals” being received at knackeries in the county is at an all-time high. The Department of Agriculture operate an emergency service through its District Veterinary Office for farm situations where the welfare of animals is at risk. The Department have set up an emergency Animal Welfare fund for farmers who cannot feed their animals on 1850 211990.

Meanwhile, Deputy Timmy Dooley has criticised the agriculture minister for failing to put in place a coherent strategy to deal with the fodder crisis.

Speaking during a special Dáil motion on the crisis this week, Deputy Dooley said the terrible summer last year gave a strong indication of the huge fodder trouble farmers would face this year.

“The word crisis is often over-used in this House and in general discourse,” said Deputy Dooley.

“However, I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that the current lack of fodder is a crisis. People involved in the knackery business indicate that the number of fallen and dead animals this year has surpassed any recorded for the past 30 years.

“It was clear last summer, given the level of rainfall and poor quality of forage being collected, that a prolonged winter would result in difficulties. In my view, neither the minister nor his department put any strategy in place for such an eventuality.

“The skillset in the Department of Agriculture for dealing with crises is quite high. It has dealt with BSE, foot and mouth disease and the illegal importation of cattle but on this occasion any such strategy was sadly lacking,” he said.