Farmers facing ‘feed crunch’ as fodder supplies dwindle

UFU President Harry Sinclair saYS: “Fodder supplies on farms are getting tighter by the day and on some farms they have completely run out. Livestock have been indoors for much longer than usual this year as a result of poor weather conditions and this has had a major impact on fodder supplies. We have all been hoping for a good spring but a solid spell of good weather has yet to materialise.

“We are now in a position where farmers are turning to meal and straw to feed their livestock and this is far more expensive, putting the cost of production through the roof. This is the last thing farmers need when the cost of production is already outstripping the price paid at the farm gate.

“We have already been in touch with the major banks to stress the challenging situation many farmers are finding themselves in and what we need now is maximum support from them and our supply chain partners to ensure farmers get through this freak end of season event,” he said.