Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling
It's been another washout summer across much of the Emerald Isle, and Irish farmer's eyes certainly aren't smiling as they struggle to get the harvest in, with livestock farmers facing a serious fodder shortage, according to media reports.
Many farmers have already started feeding their winter feed after heavy and persistent rains have forced them to house stock by night, or in some extreme cases all day and night.
Some have resorted to selling stock to preserve feed supplies, or are already buying in silage at EUR20-30/bale.
Almost a third of farmers don't have adequate stocks of forage for the coming winter, a survey of Teagasc advisers has indicated. The worst-hit areas of the country are northwest Cork, west Limerick, Galway, west Tipperary, Cavan and the north-west they say.
Many farmers have already started feeding their winter feed after heavy and persistent rains have forced them to house stock by night, or in some extreme cases all day and night.
Some have resorted to selling stock to preserve feed supplies, or are already buying in silage at EUR20-30/bale.
Almost a third of farmers don't have adequate stocks of forage for the coming winter, a survey of Teagasc advisers has indicated. The worst-hit areas of the country are northwest Cork, west Limerick, Galway, west Tipperary, Cavan and the north-west they say.