National Fodder and Food Security Committee

The National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) is tasked by government with preparing an industry response, contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises through a period of high input price inflation and potential supply pressures.

The inaugural meeting of the NFFSC took place on Friday March 11th, 2022 in Teagasc Moorepark. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD established the committee to ensure the sector can respond effectively and rapidly to a considerable challenge. Over 30 organisations were represented at the meeting. The commitee is chaired by Mike Magan.

Teagasc Fodder Survey Update 2024

The national fodder survey across dairy and drystock farms nationwide, with input from approximately 650 farms, has been updated.

National outlook:

20% of farms have a small deficit to fill
18% of farms have a deficit of greater than 10% to fill and must act now!

Find out more on doing a Fodder Budget here

Find out here what your options are if you anticipate a winter feed deficit

Act Now to Assess Winter Feed Demand and Plan for the Winter

Do a Fodder Budget

Assess your winter feed demand based on how many animals you intend to keep for the winter period. The winter housing period will depend on your location, system and soil. Review the length of ti me you plan to keep animals indoors and allow a buff er for weather uncertainties.

Find out more on doing a Fodder Budget here

Act now to fill a potential feed gap

Find out here what your options are if you anticipate a winter feed deficit

Assess your Fertiliser Allowance

Farmers are required to operate within fertiliser nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) allowances in line with the Nitrates regulations. P allowances are dependent on soil test results. N allowances are simpler to calculate on most farms based on stocking rate on the grassland area.

Find out how to estimate the N fertiliser allowance for your farm here

Fertiliser for grass growth in August & September

Information on planning fertiliser application along with advice for grazing and 3rd cut silage is available here

Book straw as soon as possible

Contact your local advisor or Teagasc advisory office for information, advice and support.

Press Release - July 9th, 2024

Farmers advised to do a fodder budget and take action to secure fodder stocks based on Teagasc June Fodder Survey

The committee met to discuss the current situation and outlook for tillage crops and grassland and to hear the latest estimate of fodder reserves across Ireland ahead of the coming winter period.

"Farmers need to plan for third cuts and secure additional feed based on their own fodder budgets."

The meeting also heard from Teagasc specialists and from farmer and industry representatives on the outlook for tillage crops, straw availability, grass growth and actions being taken by farmers.

Read the Press Release - Farmers advised to do a fodder budget and take action to secure fodder stocks based on Teagasc June Fodder Survey

Teagasc Presentation to NFFSC July 8th 2024

Teagasc Tillage, Grassland and Fodder Survey Updates to NFFSC - July 2024 (pdf)

6 tips to deal with current conditions - April 2024

This document outlines six strategies for managing current conditions, focused on grazing, fertilization, silage production, fodder budgeting, health issues in calves, and strategies for the breeding season in 2024. It provides practical advice for managing livestock in challenging conditions.

6 tips to deal with current conditions (pdf)

Advice for growers this spring

This document provides advice on a number of areas that growers need to consider this spring.

Advice for growers this spring (pdf)

Teagasc Presentation to NFFSC April 9th 2024

NFFSC Grassland and Tillage Updates March 2024 (PDF)

Press Release March 29th, 2024

Reviewing the cropping plan and getting animals out to grass are advice priorities to help ease stress on-farm in the coming days.

An online meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) took place on Friday 29th March, at the request of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD. The meeting was called to assess the extent to which the ongoing and prolonged wet weather conditions are impacting on farms.

The overarching and common theme from contributors was around the pressure and stress being felt at farm level on foot of the persistent wet weather and difficult soil conditions. Concerns included: the lack of opportunity for tillage work in fields; fodder stocks; slurry storage capacity; and cash flow issues. Mike Magan, chair of the NFFSC, highlighted the critical importance of farmers and industry working together and supporting each available other in the coming weeks. Read full press release Reviewing the cropping plan and getting animals out to grass are advice priorities to help ease stress on-farm in the coming days

Contributions were made by Teagasc Specialists and Researchers, Joe Patton, Pearse Kelly, Michael O’Donovan, Ciarán Hearn, Michael Hennessy.

All presentations are below:

Teagasc Presentations to NFFSC March 29th 2024

NFFSC Grassland and Tillage Update March 2024 (PDF)

Press Release January 25th 2024

Farmers encouraged to carefully manage their winter-feed requirements

An online meeting of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) took place on Wednesday, 24^th January to update members on the livestock fodder and feed situation on farms. Challenges around the availability of straw was also a strong recurring message in the contributions from committee members. The meeting included updates from Teagasc on the situation from advisory feedback across both livestock and tillage sectors, as well as a growth update based on research and PastureBase Ireland data. Read full press release Farmers encouraged to carefully manage their winter-feed requirements

Presentations were made by:

Teagasc Livestock Knowledge Transfer specialists, Joe Patton and Pearse Kelly. They outlined how the fodder situation is relatively stable on both dairy and beef farms.

Head of the Grassland Research Department in Teagasc, Michael O’Donovan, presented the grass growth figures for 2023, which were in line with the 10-year average

Michael Hennessy, Head of Tillage Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc provided an update on the tillage crops in the ground over the winter, and the plans for spring planting.

All presentation can be accessed below.

Teagasc Presentations to NFFSC January 24th 2024

NFFSC Update January 2024 (PDF)

Press Release July 19th 2023

Teagasc Fodder Survey July 2023

A Teagasc fodder survey conducted during late June/early July 2023 shows that nationally on average, dairy and drystock farms are on target for adequate winter fodder supplies after completion of first silage cuts. There is little variation between regions or scale of farm with enterprises. There were however, approximately 15% of dairy and drystock farms with less than 40% of their winter feed requirement on hand in July.

Read full press release Teagasc Fodder Survey July 2023

Teagasc Presentations to NFFSC July 19th 2023

Fodder Survey Update (PDF)

Tillage Update (PDF)

Press Release April 17th, 2023

Rebuilding fodder reserves is key priority for the months ahead

A challenging March has caused issues for dairy, drystock and tillage farmers, attendees heard at a recent meeting of the Fertiliser Sub-group of the National Food and Fodder Security Committee (NFFSC) in Teagasc Oak Park, County Carlow. Read full press release Rebuilding fodder reserves is key priority for the months ahead

Teagasc presentation to meeting of NFFSC - April 13th

On Thursday April 13th 2023 a presentation giving an update and outlook on grass & fodder supply, fertiliser usage and current advisory activities on grassland and crops was given by Teagasc. Presentation below

NFFSC Meeting - Teagasc Update and outlook (PDF)

Proposal to the Department of Agriculture and Marine from the National Fodder and Food Security Committee - Supporting the tillage sector

29^th July

NFFSC Tillage Proposal (pdf)

Teagasc presentation to fourth meeting of NFFSC – July 13^th:

NFFSC Meeting 4 Fodder Sector Updates (pdf)

Fodder Survey Results July 2022 (pdf)

Teagasc presentation to third meeting of NFFSC - April 21st

An update on ongoing priority actions by Teagasc included the following:

Situation in the Pig Sector including the outlook for the sector
Poultry Sector update
Tillage activities and results from the Tillage Survey
Summary of Drystock Survey and events update
Dairy sector update including events, silage situation, fertiliser use and management decisions

The presentation can be downloaded here Teagasc presentation to 3rd NFFSC Meeting on April 21 2022 (PDF)

Press Releases

Teagasc Advice and information for Farmers to Improve Food and Feed Security

Teagasc will deliver regularly updated advice to farmers including actions that can be taken to help mitigate the current volatile situation.

This advice, recommended actions and further resources are available here - Food and Feed Security

Teagasc presentation to second meeting of NFFSC - March 22nd

The Teagasc presentation was an update on ongoing priority actions by Teagasc and included the following:

An update on all enterprises since the March 11th meeting
Stakeholder feedback
Current and planned activities
Grass growth and farm cover from PastureBase Ireland

The presentation can be downloaded here Teagasc presentation to 2nd NFFSC Meeting March 22 2022 (PDF)

Fertiliser Surveys Summary

Drystock | Tillage | Dairy |

Drystock (n=688)

28% of drystock farmers have bought no fertiliser to date
43% are finding it difficult to get fertiliser delivered - 63% of these stating either the merchant cannot guarantee delivery or delivery will be delayed
46% are paying 100% upfront for fertiliser - only 25% being given more than one months credit
87% of drystock farmers plan on spreading less fertiliser on grazing ground - 10 – 30% reduction (43% of farmers) - 30 – 50% reduction (31% farmers)
Only 28% of drystock farmers plan on making more than 75% of their fodder for next winter in 1st cut silage
Farmers plan on spreading less fertiliser on silage ground - 10–20% reduction (37% of farmers), 20–30% reduction (23% of farmers), 30–50% reduction (15% of farmers)

Tillage - key messages (n=440)

Phosphorus & Potassium Fertiliser

69% have >75% of their P & K requirements for the season in stock or awaiting delivery. (41% all requirements)
12% have less than 25% in stock or awaiting delivery. (4% none).

Nitrogen Fertiliser

63% have >75% of their N requirements for the season in stock or awaiting delivery. (35% all requirements) - 13% have less than 25% in stock or awaiting delivery. (3% none)
69% have made no changes to their cropping plans as a result of fertiliser supply/price. If changing – increasing beans, followed by spring oats
72% have already used or plan to use organic manures this season - But unsure how much available or used
31% plan no reduction to normal chemical fertiliser application this year - further 22% plan on a minimal 10 kg/ha reduction

Other issues

55% said they would increase tillage area if more land became available
39% said that access to additional credit is an issue this year

Dairy

Just over half have some fertiliser spread
¾ have reduced application rates YTD
Almost half intend to spread less for silage ground
60% are behind target on grazing ground
1/3 have not yet purchased 50% of the year’s requirement

Teagasc presentation to first meeting of NFFSC - March 11th

Teagasc presented on the challenges facing the various sectors:

Pigs and Poultry
Arable and Horticulture
Drystock
Dairy

The presenttaion included an outline of the current situation in the various sectors. The financial situation and implications and the support that Teagasc can offer.

The presentation can be downloaded here Teagasc presentation to first NFFSC Meeting (PDF)