10 April 2024
Action to Support Farmers in coping with Wet Weather
The National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) held an online meeting, Tuesday, 9 April. The members of the committee representing all players in the agri sector, outlined the steps and the actions they are taking around the country to support farmers in coping with the wet weather, and its impact on their farming enterprises.
“This committee is the entire industry working together to find solutions. We have to make sure we have fodder in yards for people who need it over the next 10 days.”
Paul Moore from the Climate Services Division in Met Éireann provided a climate update on the rainfall in Ireland over the last 12 months. He highlighted the extremely wet months the country has experienced and also provided a rationale for the heavy rainfall.
Eoin Sherlock from the Forecast Division in Met Éireann gave a forecast for rainfall for the next week or so, and also discussed the monthly forecast which is currently showing a signal for more settled weather later in April.
The Committee was addressed by the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, who announced the introduction of a Fodder Transport Support Measure to provide additional assistance to livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged exceptional weather conditions. In many of these cases the delayed turn out to grass because of the very poor ground conditions has meant that some farmers are now running out of fodder. The full details of the Transport scheme are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3fb7f-minister-for-agriculture-food-and-the-marine-charlie-mcconalogue-announces-fodder-transport-support-measure/#
Teagasc Enterprise specialists provided the committee with updates on the impact of the wet weather on the tillage crops sector and the cattle, sheep and dairy sectors. The Grassland research department provided an update on the grass growth figures and predicted grass growths for the week ahead. The presentations are available at https://www.teagasc.ie/about/our-organisation/national-fodder-and-food-security-committee-/
Teagasc has set up a Fodder Register to help connect farmers who have fodder available with those farmers that require it. Farmers can contact the local Teagasc Advisory office to register as having feed available, or to enquire if there are farmers on the register from whom they might source feed.
Chair of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, Mike Magan said: “This committee is the entire industry working together to find solutions. We have to make sure we have fodder in yards for people who need it over the next 10 days.” He thanked the committee members for their contributions and urged them to continue to work together to support farmers.
Helplines
Teagasc has also set up two helpline numbers to provide advice to farmers on how to manage their farms through this difficult weather period. The Helplines will be open initially for a two week period up to Saturday 20th April.
- Teagasc National Crops Helpline: 059 918 3533
- Teagasc National Grassland Helpline: 059 918 3155
Livestock farmers were urged to contact tillage farmers to explore options where animal feed such as maize, fodder beet and straw could be grown on contract for them for winter 2024.
See: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/collaborative-farming/contract-forage-cropping/