Food and Feed Security
Technical Advice for Farmers to Improve Food and Feed Security. This advice is from the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC)*. Read more about the NFFSC here
This week is Critical for Grass and Silage - Advice for Farmers Find out more here
Pigs and Poultry | Tillage Crops | Grassland Farmers | Fertiliser survey | Grass Silage Stock Checker
Pigs and Poultry
Read Pig Sector Cashflow Forecast Jan - Dec 2022 (pdf) April Update Graphs - Teagasc Pig Development Dept (pdf)
- Update cash flows and financial situation to enable decision making
- Assess breeding decisions with the objective of reducing options financial risk and increasing health status
- Review feed demand and diet formulation to make sure you are using the most cost efficient diet
- Ensure that animal welfare is of the highest standard
Tillage Crops
NEW Tillage Incentive Scheme and Ploughing Grassland for Tillage Crops
- Review your 2022 costs and returns projections for each crop
- Secure fertilizer supplies for crops
- Consider sowing additional protein crops
- Investigate opportunities to grow extra cereals, including certified seed production
- Consider leasing/renting to a specialised tillage farmer
Grassland Farmers
- Complete a feed budget for next winter including a reserve of at least 1 months fodder
- Close sufficient area for first cut silage based on fodder budget
- Graze swards in rotation at a high quality growth stage (10cm height) to improve animal performance. Skip heavy swards for silage when growth allows
- Prioritise available slurry to silage ground and lower fertility fields
- For first cut silage, apply enough fertiliser to ensure overall supply of 100 kg/ha (80 units/acre) of Nitrogen from slurry plus fertiliser. Make sure enough P, K and Sulphur is supplied to grow the crop
- Roll silage ground as required and where soil conditions are suitable
- Plan for lime application this year where low soil pH needs to be addressed. Applying lime on bare ground after first cut is a good opportunity
This week is critical for grass and silage - Advice for farmers
Download as a PDF here This week is Critical for Grass and Silage - Advice for Farmers
Grass Silage Stock Checker
Use our online stock checker here to calculate:
- Grass Silage Required for Next Winter
- Grass Silage Available for Next Winter
Further information
Contact your local Advisory Office for further information and advice. Find your nearest office here
More advice for drystock farmers - Food and Fodder Security
More advice for dairy farmers Food and Fodder Security
Fertiliser Surveys Summary
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
*The National Fodder and Food Security Committee 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.