Consequences of fodder crisis might not be all bad

The Carlow-Kilkenny TD said the ambitious target of increasing food and drink exports to €19 billion will have to be reviewed, to see if it is achievable.

He asked if there are now too many cattle in the country, during yesterday’s Dail debate on a Fianna Fail motion which called for immediate actions to assist farmers experiencing tremendous hardship due to fodder shortage.

For farmers who have been traumatised by their management experiences of the past winter and spring, the question marks over farm and food policy are an encouraging sign that the unprecedentedly difficult spring and fodder crisis will have lasting consequences.

The Dail debate revealed many misgivings about the way agricultural policy has developed, for example, Teagasc becoming “a form-filling exercise” in Mr Deering’s words, when advisers should instead be “out on the ground, advising, encouraging and dealing with farmers, and showing them how to put structures in place to be able to manage their farms for the future.

He said a long-term plan needs to be put in place, and Teagasc has an important part to play.

The point was also made in the debate that some long-term tillage farmers took advantage of the milk quota abolition to get out of grain production, with the loss of tillage land which produced grain, rapeseed, beet and, most importantly, straw, all feed inputs which are now badly needed.

The loss of this tillage land will exacerbate the loss of crop production due to bad weather in recent years, which is undoubtedly a factor in the fodder crisis.

Fianna Fáil called for a structure and standing committee to be put in place to ensure the fodder problem does not recur.

It was suggested that winters of seven rather than five and a half months should be budgeted for by farmers, and effective early warning systems be put in place by Teagasc so that feed reserves and grass on farms are assessed as part of the farm management system.

Meanwhile, everyone is keeping their fingers crossed that they can make it through to the summer.

Little fertiliser was spread up to this week for first-cut silage, the first action in the hard battle to ensure enough fodder for next winter.

There are reports of milk production being down 9-10% in the first ten days of April, and fears of ongoing fertility problems in the dairy sector.

The impact of not being able to access grazing means the loss of an estimated €2.70 per cow per day on dairy farms.

Co-ops have warned feed ingredient raw material costs are rising, and there are also warnings that importers cannot bring in enough concentrates such as corn gluten.

The plight of farmers who cannot afford to buy any more fodder was raised by Fianna Fail, which called for a meal voucher scheme, a hardship fund, and low-interest loans to help tide farmers over.

“Understanding” regarding farm inspections was called for, along with fully payment of outstanding GLAS and sheep welfare scheme payments. It was suggested VAT be removed from silage plastic for 2018.

Government delays in introducing useful fodder aid were of course highlighted, along with the initial fodder transport subsidy scheme not including fodder from Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, intakes at beef factories continue to high levels, in many cases because farmers cannot afford to feed cattle, and it is questionable if they can also afford to restock with replacements.

It all adds up to a disaster with long-term consequences, which can never be allowed to recur. Unfortunately, it completely overshadows the news that approval for beef exports to China from some Irish plants is imminent.