Irish Fodder Situation Still Critical
IRELAND - The Irish Farmers Association's Deputy President Eddie Downey has appealed to farmers with surplus fodder, including straw, to make it available to their neighbours who need feed urgently to get them through the next number of days until grass arrives.
18 April 2013
2 minute read
Mr Downey said: “The week ahead will see a welcome rise in temperatures, which will bring some much-needed grass growth. However, the impact of the prolonged winter weather, and the scarcity of fodder as a result of the dreadful summer harvest last year, is putting many farmers under severe pressure. Now that grass growth has commenced, those farmers who have surplus fodder can be more confident that they themselves will not run short and help out neighbours in difficulty.”
Eddie Downey said tillage farmers with straw should make it available to supplement concentrate feed.
The Deputy President renewed his call on merchants, co-ops and banks to support their farmer customers by applying the maximum flexibility to requests for extra credit lines.
“In general, commodity prices are strong, with good prospects for the year ahead. There is no excuse not to help out where cashflow problems exist. A speedy turnaround by banks of hours not days is required on credit applications. No farmer can be left short of cashflow to feed their stock.”
Eddie Downey said the work of the IFA Project Teams in every county on fodder had identified problems, and assisted in the delivery to areas where it was needed.
“I am in constant contact with Teagasc and have asked them to continue the good work in providing backup to farmers. With everyone's shoulder to the wheel, farm families will get through this very difficult period.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
