Fodder fears as grass growth stalls

Key members of the national fodder committee met this week as they sought to prevent the current grass shortage problem becoming a fodder crisis.

Declan O’Brien

26 June 2024

Grass growth this year is back 35-40% on normal. \ Cathal McAleer

There is mounting concern about a serious winter fodder shortage, as farmers are forced to feed first-cut silage stocks or zero-graze second-cut crops to supplement plummeting grass supplies.

PastureBase figures put grass growth across the south and east at 50kg DM/ha/day, down 35% to 40% on normal.

Key members of the national fodder committee met on Tuesday to assess the situation and the full committee will meet again in a fortnight. Teagasc estimates 2024 grass growth is down 1.5t/ha year to date.

The additional feed requirement this year will cost the average dairy farmer between €15,000 and €18,000.

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