Fodder Crisis

PeterCasey

leg wax wrote: »

i think if they drain and clean out the river shannon the river will then lower and the surrounding water tables will all drop for a very large portion of the west.

They are saying that for years, I remember my Father was involved with ifa you could here talking about getting the Shannon drained that was the early 1970s.

Say my name

Waffletraktor wrote: »

Some of the guys who've been at what he's at for a while have started to find the straw/thrash is causing a build up of excess OM and a nutrient bridge as straw choppers can spread well enough. Discs can't spread it so they all need to go back grubbing with ducks foot points.

He did bale up some of it this year and off the field before the cover crops went in. Which was usual. So maybe lessons learned from others? Not sure where it went or if it'll be coming back.

Waffletraktor

Say my name wrote: »

He did bale up some of it this year and off the field before the cover crops went in. Which was usual. So maybe lessons learned from others? Not sure where it went or if it'll be coming back.

Nah this was 10/15 years down the line, due to high volumes of plant material than where guys were getting their info it caused a build up of excess carbon rich material which tied up any N but also concentrated nutrients in 6-8m bands of a 8,10 or 12m controlled traffic system.
It was too hard to get delicate plants growing(soon post harvest) without cultivation at angles to spread the residue which defeated the purpose of ctf. And now with them running a 25-27ton quaddie depending on weights they will go down the subsoiling route even on strict ctf unless they have the helium 1,000 ballons option specced up. Never mind the rest of their kit being big and heavy in wet irish conditions. There is only one way to do straw bales and that's still chopping headlands and then a superchaser/round bale chaser type machine.

Birdnuts

Muckit wrote: »

I would agree. This is something that really needs tackling. I am also of the belief that when BnM stop peat harvesting this will also help things. There needs to be natural 'sponges' and flood plains.

Dealing with the peat silt issue from BNM bogs ie restoring these natural sponges as you say and getting rid of Ardnacrusha would solve most of the problems. Anything else would be a waste of money when it comes to a river with the scale and shallow topography of the Shannon. One lad I knew from college who went on to become a hydrologist told me recently that consultants have warned the government after the 2015 floods to stop encouraging increased drainage of farmland near major rivers/lakes as it would force more water into towns/cities during major flood events

whelan2

My neighbour is feeding bales that he wouldnt sell in the spring of 2013. Beside those bales are other bales he made in the same field each year since , in 1 cut. Land was never grazed from one cut to another and baler sat in field one year until the next year he mowed it. Would love to know the quality of those bales. He didnt make any bales in it in 2017 at all , so just idle since 2016

Willfarman

The stock would tell you the quality., i take its hay?

whelan2

Willfarman wrote: »

The stock would tell you the quality., i take its hay?

no , silage bales

Bullocks

whelan2 wrote: »

My neighbour is feeding bales that he wouldnt sell in the spring of 2013. Beside those bales are other bales he made in the same field each year since , in 1 cut. Land was never grazed from one cut to another and baler sat in field one year until the next year he mowed it. Would love to know the quality of those bales. He didnt make any bales in it in 2017 at all , so just idle since 2016

There is a world of difference in silage quality , at least he is keeping the crap to himself and not selling it on for 35 euro

Willfarman

5 year old bales of silage!! Lord jaysus they'd have to be muck.

Keepgrowing

Dead serious question. I've bought silage as I may be short of feed. Not certain but covering my ass.

Am I entitled to the transport subsidy?

Buford T. Justice XIX

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Dead serious question. I've bought silage as I may be short of feed. Not certain but covering my ass.

Am I entitled to the transport subsidy?

Not unless it's bales from more than 100kms away, i think?

Water John

Two qualify points might catch. Think you have to be in the West and transport over 100km.
That might depend on what road you take!!

whelan2

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

Not unless it's bales from more than 100kms away, i think?

Is it not only for people in the west?

alps

100km gone now as well..your teagasc rep has to sign off on it...(I think)

jimini0

Keepgrowing wrote: »

Dead serious question. I've bought silage as I may be short of feed. Not certain but covering my ass.

Am I entitled to the transport subsidy?

Was talking to a fella who Was at a meeting last week in local aurivo. To qualify for subsidy you have to order from them and pay price of bale and they sort the transport and get subsidy

The Rabbi

Willfarman wrote: »

5 year old bales of silage!! Lord jaysus they'd have to be muck.

That type of old grass cut once a year when it is in seed preserves alright and it holds its shape.Personally wouldn't like to be buying it and hauling it far.I would prefer it to a wet Oct/Nov bale.

Reggie.

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

Not unless it's bales from more than 100kms away, i think?

And bought from a coop

ganmo

Willfarman wrote: »

5 year old bales of silage!! Lord jaysus they'd have to be muck.

Fed some 3yo bales this winter and they weren’t too bad, they did prefer the 2yo ones though

Buford T. Justice XIX

Reggie. wrote: »

And bought from a coop

Is it? Didn't follow it after the announcement so only read a few headlines.

memorystick

What are bales making in the midlands? Sold some this evening at €25 per bale. He's a sound lad and it's enough for them. I think the total cost for manure, contractor and plastic is €17 per bale.

kk.man

memorystick wrote: »

What are bales making in the midlands? Sold some this evening at €25 per bale. He's a sound lad and it's enough for them. I think the total cost for manure, contractor and plastic is €17 per bale.

You must be joking...do your sums 25e is just about break even on silage bales.

Reggie.

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

Is it? Didn't follow it after the announcement so only read a few headlines.

Yeah I think they had to be sourced through a coop aswell as 100km distance

Bullocks

Doubt you would qualify kg
The Fodder Transport Support Measure remains bogged down in rule confusion.

The Department of Agriculture has stated that the scheme is “not area-specific”, but farmers in Roscommon have been told that they are ineligible for the scheme because their county is not listed.

“My planner certified that I was 250 bales short, but they’ve been told by the Department that Roscommon isn’t in the scheme,” one farmer from north Roscommon told the Irish Farmers Journal.

The farmer’s adviser added: “I was told [on Tuesday] by the Direct Payment Section that Roscommon is not on the list of eligible counties.

“There’s a load of farmers in the area who would be short of fodder, with over 20 completing fodder budgets just with us.”

Speaking in Charleville on Monday night, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “It’s in black and white – the scheme is not area-specific.”

The published terms and conditions of the scheme do not include any list of counties.

On Tuesday, the Irish Farmers Journal understood that only farmers short of fodder in Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, west Cavan, west Clare, Galway and Mayo were eligible to apply for the scheme, and Roscommon was under consideration.

Certain counties

“The fodder scheme is only available in certain counties, but the consensus of the meeting was that the scheme should be extended to Monaghan and Roscommon,” Teagasc regional manager Con Feighery told the Irish Farmers Journal following a meeting between ICSA and Teagasc on Friday.

“The Department will base its decisions on fodder budgets completed by farmers, but they haven’t indicated a particular number that’s required.

“If it’s decided that a whole county doesn’t warrant the scheme, then the Department will roll it out according to DEDs (District Electoral Divisions).”

ICSA’s Gabriel Gilmartin said Teagasc staff had a list of 70 Longford and Roscommon farmers who would be in serious fodder trouble by St Patrick’s Day.

Read more

‘It is county specific' - ICSA uproar over fodder scheme eligibility

Fodder scheme a ‘pure shambles’ and ‘impracticable’

wiggy123

charged €30 at present for bales, up in north east-what folks paying

Never wrestle with pigs

Bought 50 for €20, haylage, that's from my contractor, mchale bales

wiggy123

my uncle sold me these--asked 30, not get that! fire him 20 a bale at most

BENDYBINN

wiggy123 wrote: »

my uncle sold me these--asked 30, not get that! fire him 20 a bale at most

That’s you out of the will!

memorystick

kk.man wrote: »

You must be joking...do your sums 25e is just about break even on silage bales.

I checked it and stand over it.

TwoOldBoots

It sounds too good to be true but I heard of lads paying €50 per bale, I'm thinking of selling about 110 bales surplus which should net me enough cash to pay the contractor for next years silage!.

L1985

Did our maths and cost of bale was €20 so selling for €25. Put them up on donedeal a week ago (no photos) and not a single call. Renewed it and a lad is coming to take them. I was surprised thou as I had thought with the fodder crisis I'd have more interest. im in the sth east. So don't know how lads could get €50 a bale!!

Donegalforever

L1985 wrote: »

Did our maths and cost of bale was €20 so selling for €25. Put them up on donedeal a week ago (no photos) and not a single call. Renewed it and a lad is coming to take them. I was surprised thou as I had thought with the fodder crisis I'd have more interest. im in the sth east. So don't know how lads could get €50 a bale!!

I think perhaps the reason that you didn't have a better response to your ad is that you are located in the South East and the shortage of fodder is mainly in my own County, (Donegal) and other counties in the North West and the West.
Haulage charges from the S.E. to Donegal could be prohibitive.
The Government scheme of paying €12 per bale Haulage Charge could also be a factor in the lack of response as I understand that haiulage has to be arranged through one of the Co-Ops.

sea12

I'd say this weather could add s few pound to silage that's left. Plus it will result in people being more reluctant to sell some as who knows how long this is going to last

Reggie.

sea12 wrote: »

I'd say this weather could add s few pound to silage that's left. Plus it will result in people being more reluctant to sell some as who knows how long this is going to last

Gonna prolong the whole thing alright

TwoOldBoots

Sold all 110 bales this evening, 3 low loader loads out the gate today. I was surpised to see him load 38 bales on the first load. That was a nice bit of weight as the bales were like solid lead bullets.
€4500 cash in the hand. Gave him 7 old hay bales for luck.

Grueller

TwoOldBoots wrote: »

Sold all 110 bales this evening, 3 low loader loads out the gate today. I was surpised to see him load 38 bales on the first load. That was a nice bit of weight as the bales were like solid lead bullets.
€4500 cash in the hand. Gave him 7 old hay bales for luck.

€41 a bale!!! Big squares or 4x4 rounds? What part of the country?

Water John

Met two loads over the last two days and not one strap or rope on them. the second one and old trailer single axle with double wheels creaking, driving through Bandon town. Squad car wasn't far behind. Hoped they didn't see it.

TwoOldBoots

Grueller wrote: »

€41 a bale!!! Big squares or 4x4 rounds? What part of the country?

4 X 4 Mchales more Hayleige than Silage , East Clare they were serious bales. Sold to a dairyman (who else!!)
Hay Bales were old Rp200s, soft sponges but ok for bedding I guess. In fairness the man cut the ends of 3 silage bales and was then 100% happy to get the bales. The silage was A1

Grueller

TwoOldBoots wrote: »

4 X 4 Mchales more Hayleige than Silage , East Clare they were serious bales. Sold to a dairyman (who else!!)
Hay Bales were old Rp200s, soft sponges but ok for bedding I guess. In fairness the man cut the ends of 3 silage bales and was then 100% happy to get the bales. The silage was A1

No offence and I am definitely not doubtingv your fodder but at that money I would rather be selling them than buying them.

TwoOldBoots

Grueller wrote: »

No offence and I am definitely not doubtingv your fodder but at that money I would rather be selling them than buying them.

I agree but the man said it was hard to locate a good few bales togather, lads were only willing to sell half of what was advertised sence the snow. Plus he reckoned hew was mad busy with cows calving this time of year that he just wanted to get sorted. He seemed happy with the deal and paid so I say fair play to him

Odelay

TwoOldBoots wrote: »

I agree but the man said it was hard to locate a good few bales togather, lads were only willing to sell half of what was advertised sence the snow. Plus he reckoned hew was mad busy with cows calving this time of year that he just wanted to get sorted. He seemed happy with the deal and paid so I say fair play to him

I can definatley understand the willingness to pay top money to get sorted in one swoop somewhere close to base, takes a lot of pressure off.

whelan2

Used up the last of our silage bales during the week. Had to bring keenan feeder to outfarm yesterday, she's a wide yolk on the road. It's a 170. Plenty of straw and pit silage left.

darragh_haven

Selling pit silage here. Don't want to sell any more than I promised, but there is one or 2 guys asking for any spare bit at all over the last week.

Reggie.

darragh_haven wrote: »

Selling pit silage here. Don't want to sell any more than I promised, but there is one or 2 guys asking for any spare bit at all over the last week.

Don't leave yourself short

Bass Reeves

darragh_haven wrote: »

Selling pit silage here. Don't want to sell any more than I promised, but there is one or 2 guys asking for any spare bit at all over the last week.

Can never understand lads that are around searching for silage in March. I have introduced ration from end of January. It is the same cost no matter which you choose. Lads hunting around for a few bales or a bit of pit silage are not running a business

whelan2

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Can never understand lads that are around searching for silage in March. I have introduced ration from end of January. It is the same cost no matter which you choose. Lads hunting around for a few bales or a bit of pit silage are not running a business

Was talking to a neighbour he normally has bales to sell at this time of year. He only has enough for himself this year. He got four calls from lads the other day looking for bales

mahoney_j

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Can never understand lads that are around searching for silage in March. I have introduced ration from end of January. It is the same cost no matter which you choose. Lads hunting around for a few bales or a bit of pit silage are not running a business

Too many lads have expanded too far and too quick and end up caught with lack of feed and facilities and thus hardship .fidder getting very scarce around me ,I’ve sold half a pit but have enough left comfortably for myself

patsy_mccabe

I've enough for 6 days. Neighbour has promised me some. Hate having to ask but what can you do. Is it just me or is this the longest sh1ttiest winter ever?

jaymla627

mahoney_j wrote: »

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Can never understand lads that are around searching for silage in March. I have introduced ration from end of January. It is the same cost no matter which you choose. Lads hunting around for a few bales or a bit of pit silage are not running a business

Too many lads have expanded too far and too quick and end up caught with lack of feed and facilities and thus hardship .fidder getting very scarce around me ,I’ve sold half a pit but have enough left comfortably for myself

Neighbour stopped us on road yesterday looking to buy a 30 acre pit I have on a outfarm, nearly out of silage with 100 odd milking cows and no hope of getting them out for at least two weeks on a very wet farm, I'd say panic stations will start to set in on a lot of places this week re getting silage bought in

Dakota Dan

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

I've enough for 6 days. Neighbour has promised me some. Hate having to ask but what can you do. Is it just me or is this the longest sh1ttiest winter ever?

Grass is a lot slower to take off this year, last year I had the cows out day and night at this stage and had to skip paddocks that were too strong around March 20th. The snow and frost hit any bit of growth on paddocks closed early.

Gawddawggonnit

I’ve a bit of maize if anyone is interested...ex yard.

The rule of thumb here for dairy farmers on non irrigated farms is to have a years feed in hand at all times. For irrigated farms it’s 6 months.
We only got 90 days grazing last year so some farms are getting a bit tight...they’re the ones with cows out.