Stock Surplus To Increase Further, says Teagasc
Issued 4thApril 2001
Over 300,000 store cattle and calves remain unsold on over 30,000 farms due to the foot and mouth movement restrictions, according to Teagasc estimates.
Bernard Smyth, Chief Beef Adviser with Teagasc said that the build-up of stock is likely to reach 500,000 before any relaxation of the current movement restrictions can be contemplated.
The difficulty is further compounded by the late spring, with grass growth at least two weeks behind normal, he said.
''Farmers have no alternative but to manage their way through the current problem. We have at least another two weeks before even gradual relaxation of movement restrictions can be contemplated by the Foot and Mouth Expert Group and the Minister'', he said.
He advised farmers with surplus stock and a fodder shortage to purchase concentrate feed rather than hay or silage in order to bridge the gap to grass.
''For yearlings, 4kgs per day of a 14% ration, costing £120 - £130 per tonne, together with minimum roughage is adequate for maintenance and minimal growth. Hay or good straw are preferable to silage as roughage sources'', he said.
For suckler cows rearing calves, daily concentrate levels should be 4-5kgs of an 18% crude protein ration with minimal amounts of hay or straw. Rations must also be fortified with minerals and calcium magnesite in order to prevent grass tetany.
''Animals should not be kept on this feeding regime for longer than four weeks. A longer feeding period could lead to stunting of growing animals and rebreeding problems in suckler cows'', he said.
Bernard Smyth also warned that the replacement for the over 30 months Destruct Scheme will be much less attractive after June 30th.
''Therefore farmers must ensure that all animals over 30 months before the end of June are fit for sale before the existing scheme ends'', he advised.
