Teagasc encourages all farmers to ACT NOW to review fodder requirements for next winter and fill fodder gaps

Teagasc are highlighting the ongoing Advisory support available to farmers on foot of calls this week by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalgue TD, to ensure that farmers are equipped with the information and advice required to maximise fodder production as we approach the autumn period.

Ensuring fodder requirements are in place ahead of next winter needs to be a high priority on all farms in the weeks ahead. Weather conditions so far in 2024 have seen grass growth levels well below normal, which has resulted fodder stocks being behind target on some farms. Data on fodder stocks presented to the National Fodder and Food Security committee in early July highlighted that up to 30% of farms had fodder deficits of more than 10% for the coming winter. This is due to a combination of reasons including reduced silage areas and yields, less opportunity for surplus grazing covers to be cut as silage, and a late spring depleting any carry-over fodder stocks in yards. 

Figures from PastureBase Ireland to the end of July show that grass growth continues to track approximately 890 kilograms per hectare of grass dry matter (11%) behind the average grass growth to date in the previous five years (2019-2023). With grass growth returning to more seasonally normal levels thanks to warmer weather in recent days, now is the time to act and assess the opportunities to maximise grass growth in the coming weeks and months.

The message to farmers in terms of fodder for next winter are to take the following steps:

1. Do a fodder budget and assess fodder stocks compared to requirements for the winter period.
2. Act now to assess options where a fodder gap is identified and take action to fill the feed gap, including sourcing silage or forage crops from other farms.
3. Complete a cash flow budget and seek additional finance early where the need for additional feed purchases will be required. 
4. Assess your farm’s allowance of nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser remaining available to apply this year.
5. Maximise grass growth with fertiliser and slurry applications within the allowable N and P limits. (Noting that there are no restrictions on potassium (K) and sulphur (S) usage).
6. Take any available opportunities for 3^rd cut silage crops, and surplus bales where possible, to build fodder stocks.
7. Reduce winter feed requirements where possible through extending the grazing rotation and building stocks of grass for Autumn grazing; feeding animals for earlier finishing, and selling some stock earlier than planned.
8. Secure a source of the straw required for bedding for the winter ahead as soon as possible.

Head of Advisory Services in Teagasc, Tom Curran, highlighted that “Teagasc advisors continue to provide advice and support to farmers to ensure awareness of the risk of a potential fodder challenge in the coming winter, and to take appropriate steps to assess and address emerging fodder gaps”. Key advisory supports available to farmers are available to farmers across the Teagasc network of Advisory offices, and to clients through their local advisor. Advice and support around fodder budgets, fertiliser allowances, feeding and financial advice are available. 

For further information, farmers are encouraged to contact their advisor or local Teagasc Advisory office, or visit the Teagasc website.

An interactive online calculator for winter feed budgeting is also available to use at: https://interactive.teagasc.ie/Open/FeedChecker .

Also see https://www.teagasc.ie/about/our-organisation/national-fodder-and-food-security-committee-/

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