Time to maximise grass growing potential on under-utilised lands – Mulherin

Speaking in the Dail yesterday evening Fine Gael Mayo Deputy, Michelle Mulherin, said that now that the fodder crisis is abating, we need to look at maximising the grass growing potential of our land so that a similar crisis can be avoided next year.

Deputy Mulherin went on to say that while the early payment of grants under AEOS has been welcomed by the 1,500 farmers who received it, provision should be made for farmers on other schemes such as those in receipt of the Disadvantage Area Payment who are in financial difficulty.

“Now that there is growth once again and the fodder crisis seems to be in abeyance we must turn our focus to how best to help and educate farmers to get maximum grass growth this season so that fodder can be harvested for next winter.

“In the longer term we have to look at the under-utilisation of some of our lands which could form part of the solution to future fodder crises if lands were farmed more productively. In achieving this end we need to overcome the obstacles that exist in regard to land transfer and succession, which the Department and other stakeholders are attempting to address.

“We must consider how best to adapt and to be flexible in respect of growing grass and meeting fodder needs and food targets under Food Harvest 2020. This will require the pooling of know-how and resources in addressing production and environmental concerns. Enabling our young, trained farmers who are ready, willing and able to farm but are unable to do so because they can’t access land is key to dealing with this issue.

“Education is a key response and allows us to compensate for and mitigate against the effects of climate change and the challenges that that brings in meeting our fodder needs. Teagasc definitely has an appetite for and a good track record in the delivery of education and must be supported in continuing to advise farmers to cultivate the land that is available to them so that it produces grass in the way we know it can.

“Despite the assistance that is offered to farmers, many are struggling financially right now, with credit sources having dried up. The early payment of the AEOS in the past ten days to 1,500 farmers under the AEOS has been welcomed. However, in many areas, such as the west, farmers are reliant on grants such as the Disadvantaged Area Payment. It is my view that these farmers should be given the option of receiving one quarter of that payment now to alleviate financial burdens they are currently experiencing.”
Ends