This article is from page 11 of the 2013-07-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
CLARE farmers could be forced to begin using winter fodder, just harvested over the past few weeks, as the drought has brought grass growth in the county to a virtual standstill.
Clare farmers, especially in shallow soil in the North and West of the county, have been unable to fertilise land following the first cut of hay or silage. This, coupled with drought conditions experienced over the past two weeks, has created a situation where fresh grass for livestock is running out – and few farmers have been able to generate enough grass for a second cut of silage.
With thunder storms expected in some areas in the coming days, there is also the prospect that farmland in the county may become flooded, while other areas may remain in drought.
According to Martin McMahon of the ICMSA, Clare farmers desperately need a number of days of moderate rain to return the grass to growth.
“Grass has already started to burn in many parts of the county and this does not bode well for the rest of the year. If we don’t get some grass growth soon farmers will have to start giving out the fodder they have just saved – which is bound to create another big fodder shortage this winter,” he said.
“There is definitely going to a problem with grass. Fertiliser wont go into the ground at this stage so there is no point in spreading it. The chances of a second cut of silage on most Clare farms is not there at the moment. This mean that there will be less grass for cattle after the second cut is eventually made this year – which will put even more pressure on fodder.
“We need to get three or four inches of rain over a few days and then for the weather to clear again. If we get that then we have a good chance of saving enough fodder this year. If we don’t get that then farmers will be in trouble fro fodder again this year.”