Rebuilding fodder reserves is key - Teagasc

A challenging Spring has caused issues for dairy, and drystock farmers, attendees heard at a recent meeting of the Fertiliser Sub-group of the National Food and Fodder Security Committee (NFFSC).

The meeting was convened to provide a forum to discuss the potential challenges around weather conditions on fodder and grass availability, and to explore the readiness of the fertiliser supply chain to meet the anticipated demand.

At the meeting held in Teagasc Oak Park, County Carlow, there was a strong focus for all farmers to plan for re-building fodder stocks on farms. All farms should plan and act now for appropriate fertilisation rates and harvest dates to ensure a sufficient supply of high-quality silage. Rebuilding fodder stocks in the order of 20% above normal winter requirements continues to be the advice to all farmers.

Mike Magan, NFFSC Chair, highlighted ongoing disruption and uncertainty around fertiliser availability and price. He also acknowledged that many farmers had prudently purchased fertiliser, but had bought it during high price periods. He also highlighted how the collective industry had worked together to avoid any significant fodder or feed supply crisis since war in Ukraine hindered fertiliser supplies.

CSO statistics indicate a significant reduction in the import of fertilisers for the period August 1, 2022 to the end of January 2023, compared to previous years. They also show the disproportionate reduction in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) compared to nitrogen (N) within the overall reduction in fertiliser sales of products in 2022, and the potential risk to soil fertility in the long term.

It was also confirmed that fertiliser purchases and sales volumes had slowed compared to previous years, despite stocks being available to meet demands for April. There is also availability of products for import to meet future requirements on farms, however, the potential for short-term supply challenges due to logistics may arise, depending on demand. However, farm organisations highlighted the ongoing sense of frustration amongst farmers at continuing high fertiliser prices.

A delegation looked at the various sectors and summarised their findings:

Dairy

Although excellent grazing conditions in February promoted early grazing, leading to a significant silage-saving effect in most regions, the situation deteriorated during March and early April, resulting in the rehousing of stock and silage feeding at a time of rising feed demand on many dairy farms.

Although Teagasc advisors report that grass supplies are plentiful, grazing has been much delayed in many counties. On silage reserves, the west and north is reported to be okay, but supplies are very tight in some areas of the east and south, with some farmers – especially those affected by the drought in 2022 - purchasing low-quality silage at high costs. Rebuilding fodder stocks is essential to reduce the risk of feed supply issues if drought occurs in the summer of 2023.

Drystock

Although an increased number of beef farmers had stock at grass in February, saving on winter feed supplies, conditions over recent weeks have resulted in many returning indoors, Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, outlined.

Highly stocked beef farms that fed silage during the drought last summer are now running very tight on fodder due to wet conditions. However, more typical, lower-stocked beef farms do not currently have an issue with fodder supplies.

Like dairy farms, very little nitrogen fertiliser was applied on drystock farms in March due to wet weather. Fertiliser purchasing has also been delayed on most drystock farms due to weather and price.