Macra na Feirme national president John Keane is calling on the Government to extend the closing date for the cutting and conservation of silage and or hay under the National Fodder Support Scheme.
The closing date under the scheme for cutting and conservation is the 5th of September but given the recent dry weather, Mr Keane said many farmers have had to graze paddocks and fields previously intended for silage or hay.
The Tipperary based farm leader said “flexibility is needed around this with many farms on all soil types across the country facing soil moisture deficits making it difficult to secure enough winter feed ahead of the closing date of the 5th of September.”
Met Eireann reports that “currently, soil moisture deficits (SMDs) ranges from around 25 mm along the west coast up to 70 mm in parts of the south and southeast”.
As this has impacted growth rates for grass, farmers need an extension until the last week of September so that farmers who have applied for the scheme can cut and conserve winter feed according to Mr Keane.
The government launched the €56 million scheme in June to ensure that there will be sufficient fodder to feed animals through the winter and into spring 2023.
A sharp increase in fertiliser costs and a potential scarcity of grain for animal feed has led to concerns about a shortage of feed or a reduction in volume of livestock held by farmers that could impact on food supplies.
