Fodder bank helps feed farm livestock
Waterlogged fields and the cold, wet weather have left farmers in Shropshire and Mid Wales worried they could run out of food for their animals.
The National Farmers’ Union and NFU Cymru have launched their online Fodder Bank to help members find animal feed for their farms or sell any surplus to assist others.
An online food bank for livestock, it means farmers can find reasonably-priced feed for their cattle and sheep.
The NFU is also working with Forage Aid, the charity that supports farmers whose livestock has been affected by an extreme weather event by providing forage and/or bedding to those in need.
It sources forage and bedding from donations and pledges from within the farming community, then distributes it to those whose own supply of feed has been destroyed or made inaccessible due to the weather.
NFU Cymru president John Davies said: “I am hearing from farmers who say that the sustained wet weather has meant very few have been able to turn out their livestock and this has led to increasing difficulty sourcing available forage.
“The wet weather and late spring have seen livestock and dairy producers not able to put their stock out on the fields because of a lack of grass growth and available forage.
“It means farmers have had to use supplementary feed at additional costs as well as the cost of bedding for the sheds.”
He said arable farmers had also experienced delays in spring cultivations and drilling where the ground was too wet to to take tractors and agricultural vehicles.
Andrew Ward, from Forage Aid, said: “The last few months have not been an easy time for livestock farmers because of the terrible weather.
“This started last summer and autumn with many farmers struggling to make second and third cut silage off their own fields.
“This has meant a lot of livestock are yet to be turned out, which means forage and bedding are in short supply.
“The NFU and Forage Aid have had discussions and have decided to reactivate the Fodder Bank to assist farmers through this difficult period.”
Mr Davies said: “As well as contributing £112 billion to the UK economy and providing 3.8 million jobs, food and farming underpins rural communities and it is during these difficult times that the support of both government and the wider industry is so important.”
The Fodder Bank can be found at nfuonline.com/fodderbank
