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Teagasc fodder survey reveals 90% of farms expect to have sufficient feed for winter
Based on data from approximately 300 farms nationwide, Teagasc recently updated the National Fodder Survey across dairy and drystock farms.
Nationally, 90% of farms expect to have sufficient feed in place for the winter ahead, but approximately 5% of farms expect to face fodder deficits of 20% or greater.
Compared to the previous two years, the spring of 2025 facilitated an earlier turnout, putting farms in a good position nationally. However, approximately 20% of farms had to purchase additional feed this spring.
It can prove challenging to secure high-quality feed for freshly calved and growing animals, which require silage quality of at least 70 Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD) to support performance.
It also 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.
Given that the majority of farms have sufficient reserves in place for the winter months, the focus should now move to building up grass for the autumn through a closing rotation that will maximise spring grass availability.
Complete a fodder budget
Many farms capitalised on good growing conditions in April and May; 54% of respondents had completed first-cut silage by the end of May, and a further 37% in early June.
PastureBase Ireland data trends suggest an additional 0.7t DM/ha has been grown to date on farms above the previous five-year average.
However, on approximately 10% – 15% of PastureBase Ireland farms, drought conditions have been experienced. This may result in compromised winter feed reserves in these regions.
Only 40% of respondents had completed a winter fodder budget to date. Budgeting is critical, particularly where reserves may be reduced, but it may also identify significant surpluses on some farms and allow those individuals to sell feed.
Commenting on the results of the Teagasc National Fodder Survey, Dr Aisling Claffey, Teagasc Ruminant Nutrition Specialist, said: 'While the majority of farms will have built up a reserve this summer with optimal growing conditions in most parts of the country, 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.
"I would also like to acknowledge the input of Katie Cooney in the National Fodder Survey for her time in collecting data and to the farmers for willingly participating and sharing their data during this process.'
Head of the Teagasc advisory service Thomas Curran added: '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.'
