(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Agriculture the extent to which in this year to a recent date the grass crop has been conserved for winter use, compared with a normal year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Grass Crop.
30.
Up to 16 June substantial progress had been made in the provision of fodder for next winter and with reasonable conditions supplies should be adequate for most areas of the country.
(Limerick West): In regard to the increased assistance which was given recently by the Minister and his Department after extreme pressure from this and other parties, will the Minister be in a position to do better in view of the present situation as he described it? After all, crops are way behind this year. In regard to conserving grass for silage for next winter will the Minister consider further assistance by way of increased grants? This is allowed under Commission rules.
I am not in a position to offer the Deputy any consolation on that. To give a very brief picture of the situation, the first cut of silage as of 16 June was less than that of last year. Cuts were down by 10 per cent. Most silage was cut two to three weeks later than normal. Yields of the later first cut silage are 10 per cent higher than normal. The quality of first cut silage is lower but is being somewhat counter-balanced by the fact that grass was late coming to seed. The areas being closed for second cut silage have increased substantially. Up to half of the people who made first time silage last year hope to make it again this year. We have a number of first time silage makers.
(Limerick West): Will the Minister not consider a further special publicity drive by his Department and by ACOT from the point of view of advice to farmers?
That is good advice and I will follow up on it.
(Limerick West): Will the Minister publicise it?
Yes.
(Limerick West): Does the Minister not think that the situation deserves more rigorous and urgent action by him and his Department and by the personnel of his Department spread throughout the country? In my opinion it does. Will the Minister take immediate action to ensure that this will happen?
There are many things that we should and could be doing. For instance, last year there was panic about straw. At the same time most years large quantities of good quality barley straw are burned by farmers who are unable to get a market for it. I am looking at the possibility at this early stage of trying to co-ordinate some sort of action whereby this will not happen. Most farmers whether from the north, south, east or west, if they are in the cattle business, have some storage capacity. It is a shame that this is happening with reasonably good feed used with molasses which would tide animals over.