Approaching Deadline for Fodder Support Scheme 2022
The deadline for submission of applications for the Fodder Support Scheme is Tuesday August 2nd 2022. It is important that all eligible farmers apply even though the maximum payment of €1,000 per applicant may look small to some. Matt O’Sullivan Teagasc Advisor, Killarney has the details here
There is a budget of €56 million made available for the scheme.
Applications can be made on your own agfood account or through your advisor.
The purpose of the Fodder Support Scheme (FSS) is to incentivise and support farmers to grow sufficient grass and conserve sufficient fodder (silage and/or hay) for the 2022 winter. This scheme was basically launched as a result of the increasing feed and fertiliser input costs as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February this year.
Scheme Conditions
For farmers to be eligible to apply for the FSS payment there are a number of conditions to be met which include the following:
You must have submitted a 2022 BPS application online at agfood.ie on or before 15th May 2022. Late BPS applications will be accepted for the purpose of this scheme up to and including 08th July 2022. You must apply for FSS online at agfood.ie on or before the 2nd of August 2022.
You must confirm and agree to cut and conserve silage and or hay by 05th September 2022. Applicants must declare the total number of hectares of grassland they intend to cut for hay and/or silage in 2022 and only grassland parcels will be eligible.
For GLAS participants it should be noted that Traditional Hay Meadows are eligible for the scheme but Low Input Permanent Pasture is not eligible. By logging on to your agfood account you will be able to see how much eligible land is available.
Dairy farmers who have an active Milk Supply Contract are also not eligible to apply for the scheme.
At least 5% of participants will be selected for inspection with a further 3% subject to administrative checks so it is important that you accurately apply for the number of Hectares you are cutting to comply with the terms & conditions of the Fodder Support Scheme.
Teagasc Fodder Survey Results
Recent Teagasc Fodder Survey Results were presented to the National Fodder & Food Security Committee on Wednesday 13th July which showed that in general farmers are in a good position this year in terms of having sufficient fodder for the coming winter.
Teagasc advisors completed feed budgets with a selection of over 500 farmer clients on PastureBase Ireland. These were completed in late June and early July and included projected second cut silage yields as of 8th July.
The overall position in relation to having adequate stocks of fodder on farms for next winter is positive. Feed stocks on drystock and dairy farms are positive overall, with an average of 119% of predicted demand on average.
However it was pointed out at this meeting that there was some variation between regions, and between individual farms. One in eight farms have not saved sufficient quantities yet and these farmers need to take steps during the remainder of the summer and in early autumn, to ensure they have adequate stocks of fodder for the winter to avoid a reliance on expensive concentrates.
Prepare a Winter Fodder Budget
Every farm should prepare a Winter Fodder budget annually to ensure they have adequate fodder reserves including a good reserve in exceptional situations so that you are not reliant on purchasing expensive substitutes.
By having a budget you can make decisions in time regarding conserving more fodder, purchasing some or possibly reducing stock numbers if necessary.
See Use our online stock checker here to creat a fooder budget. | Learn about Food and Feed Security , the National Fodder and Food Security Committee
Teagasc Advisors are regular contibutors of articles here on Teagasc Daily. If you require any help or advice on applying forthe Fodder Support Scheme or completing a fodder budget contact your local advisor at your Teagasc Advisory Office here: Advisory Regions.