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Minister Heydon said that his department is liaising closely with Teagasc on the national fodder survey and encouraged all farmers to carry out a fodder budget which will assist them to take appropriate action to ensure sufficient fodder stocks for the coming winter.
The Minister said he recognised the impact that the ongoing drought is having on farms. He added “While there is no shortage of fodder at present, grass growth is significantly impacted. Grass growth for the current year as monitored by Teagasc was 5 per cent above the five-year average up until the end of July. However, severe soil moisture deficits (>70 mm) in the eastern half of the country are leading to current grass growth rates of less than 10kg DM/ha, with growth rates in the south approximately 20kg DM/ha and in the west 50kg DM/ha.”
Teagasc has commenced data collection for the national fodder survey. As in previous years, the survey will assess fodder stocks ahead of the coming winter. The minister added: “I urge all farmers to complete a fodder budget which will inform the Teagasc survey. The results of this survey are expected later this month and will provide a basis for farmers and the wider industry to assess the overall national and regional fodder supply situation. When the results of this survey are made available, consideration will be given to any necessary next steps, including reconvening the National Fodder and Food Security Committee.”
Continue grass measurement
In the meantime, the advice from Teagasc to all livestock farmers is to continue grass measurement to assess pasture supply and growth rates on a weekly basis. Pasture supply deficits will need to be filled using a combination of grass silage and concentrate supplements while also considering autumn pasture management targets. Winter feed stocks will also need to be considered when deciding supplementation strategies.