Teagasc: 90% of farms expect to have sufficient winter feed
Following data from around 300 farms across the country, the authority recently updated its National Fodder Survey for dairy and drystock farms.
The update shows that approximately 5% of farms expect to face fodder deficits of 20% or greater this winter.
In contrast to the last two years, the spring of 2025 allowed for earlier turnout of animals.
However, Teagasc noted that around 20% of farms had to purchase additional feed this spring.
The authority said this "highlights the importance of having sufficient pasture on farm for spring grazing, as this is where many farms were reliant on supplementary feed to fill feed deficits".
54% of respondents to the survey had completed first-cut silage by the end of May, and a further 37% in early June.
Data from PastureBase Ireland suggests an additional 0.7 tonne dry matter (DM)/ha has been grown to date on farms above the previous five-year average.
However, 10% to 15% of PastureBase Ireland farms experienced drought conditions, which may result in compromised winter feed reserves in these regions.
Only 40% of survey respondents had completed a winter fodder budget to date.
As the majority of farms have sufficient reserves in place for the winter months, Teagasc said the focus should now move to building up grass for the autumn through a closing rotation that will maximise spring grass availability.
Dr. Aisling Claffey, Teagasc ruminant nutrition specialist, noted that only 30% of those surveyed intend to analyse silage quality.
"Feed quality has huge implications for animal performance over the winter months, and a greater focus is required on producing silage of sufficient quality for all livestock categories," she said.
Thomas Curran, head of the Teagasc Advisory Service, added that it is "encouraging to see healthy hay and silage stocks on the majority of farms across the country".
"It is very important to analyse silage before the winter to determine the quality as this will have a major impact on the performance of animals and the cost of overwintering stock.
"All farmers need to complete a fodder budget annually to assess the quantity of fodder required and this can be easily done on the PastureBase Ireland app or with the help of your advisor," he said.
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