The results of a recent survey carried out by AgriSearch and the Ulster Farmers Union has highlighted many of the challenges that farmers are facing this winter. While the quantity of silage made is slightly above average, of those who have analysed 56% are reporting silage quality values below or well below average. Thus farmers will need to feed more meal to achieve similar levels of performance to previous years. This comes at a time when meal prices are high and when asked their intentions for the coming winter 46 percent of beef and sheep farmers said they intend to feed less concentrate. Only 11 percent of dairy farmer intend to feed less concentrate but a further 31 percent are still to decide. To date only 20 percent of farmers have completed a fodder plan for the coming winter.
Results from the survey also indicate that there is unlikely to be a large flush of extra stores on the market, however 30 percent of beef and sheep farmers did indicate that they would be keeping less stock this winter (primarily through a combination of culling cows and reducing livestock purchases). On balance the survey indicated that there was unlikely to be a significant change in the number of dairy cows kept this winter.
With regards fertiliser 76 percent of farmers sowed less this year. While most farmers have reported reasonable grass growth there is considerable regional variation with 78 percent of farmers in County Down saying they were affected by the dry weather this summer.
Most farmers are on top of their feed and fertiliser bills, however 53 percent of farmers say they are intending to devote more of their DAERA BPS to clear their feed and fertiliser bills than normal. Notably 27 percent of respondents say they are either under pressure financially or have been refused finance. Only 24 percent of farmers have completed a cash flow forecast.
There is significant interest in forward buying fertiliser with only 30% of farmers ruling it out. Farmers have also indicated that there are likely to be modest increases in the acreage of cereals planted in the coming season.
The increase in fertiliser prices has seen farmers place a higher value on organic manures with 80 percent saying they made better use of slurry this year. This was achieved by targeting application on low index fields and through LESSE application. In addition 15 percent of farmers said they had slurry analysed.
With manufactured fertiliser predicted to remain expensive many farmers expressed an interest in making changes to reduce their reliance on purchased fertiliser. 62 percent expressed an interest in stitching in clover, 56 percent in establishing multi-species swards and 49 percent expressed an interest in drawing up a nutrient management plan for their farm.
AgriSearch General Manager Jason Rankin said “While silage stocks are better than expected on most farms, due to difficult weather conditions around first cut (particularly in the West) many farmers will be having to manage their livestock with silage of below average quality at a time when the cost of purchased feed is very high. I would encourage all farmers to take time to plan their winter feeding and cash-flow requirements for the coming winter to allow for any remedial action to be taken in good time.”
Ulster Farmers’ Union president David Brown said, “This year has been one of many challenges for our members. Farmers are facing added financial pressure as interest rates are predicted to double coupled with the cost-of-living crisis and the already soaring energy, feed, fuel and fertiliser costs. It’s severely impacting farmers’ confidence around food production as we move towards the tough winter months that lie ahead.
“I would encourage farmers to plan ahead for winter feeding. Many already do this but it will be particularly important this year. It is vital that government take note of the struggles our farm families are facing alongside everyone else – they need support to continue producing high-quality produce to feed the nation, in a sustainable way.”
A copy of the full report is available on the Agrisearch website. To view, click here.
