The impact of dire weather on farmers in Donegal was discussed at a meeting held by Donegal IFA held on Tuesday, September 26th in the Mill Park Hotel Donegal Town.
The meeting was attended by more than 70 people who have been affected and are facing a significant loss of fodder due to the poor conditions over the past number of months.
Aidan Murray of Teagasc was the keynote speaker on the night and discussed the options available to farmers from a fodder and stock point of view. Aidan gave an in-depth presentation on the costings around keeping suckler cows in the areas affected by these conditions.
John O’Connell, a farmer from County Leitrim discussed the changes he had to make to survive in farming on land that sees as much rain as South and West Donegal. John advised that maximising stocking rate while decreasing the weight of the animals he held on his farm were key to survival on heavy land.
IFA Deputy President, Richard Kennedy along with County Chairman Michael Chance spent the afternoon in Donegal visiting farmers affected by the poor weather conditions.
Reacting to the conditions on the farms he visited, Richard Kennedy said, “This is a real eye opener to see the hardship farmers are going through in the area. Not having second cut silage finished at this stage is a nightmare for these farmers who now find themselves housing animals with winter effectively landed.”
The Deputy President warned that the early winter and increased cost of keeping animals for a prolonged winter will have adverse effects on farm incomes in the region.
at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
Speakers at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. from left are Richard Kennedy, IFA Deputy President, Miffy Hoad, Heart Space Facilitation, Adrian Gallagher, County Secretray, Michael Chance, Donegal IFA Chairman, John O’Connell, Leitrim Farmer and Aidan Murray, Teagasc. Photo Clive Wasson
at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
Speakers at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Seated from left are Michael Chance, Donegal IFA Chairman, Richard Kennedy, IFA Deputy President and Adrian Gallagher, County Secretray. Back from left Marcus O’Halloran , County Development Officer, Miffy Hoad, Heart Space Facilitation, Aidan Murry,Teagasc, Brendan McLaughlin, Donegal Vice Chairman, John O’Connell, Leitrim Farmer Photo Clive Wasson
Raymond Henry and Martin Meehan at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
Epoin Gallagher, William McElhinney adn John McGrory at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
James Dunleavy and Tony Gildea at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
patrick Rooney and Joseph Dunleavy at the special IFA meeting in Donegal Town to discuss problems relating to weather, farm payments and farming related problem. Photo Clive Wasson
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