Beef and dairy farmers are being urged to review their destocking strategy ahead of a tough winter for supplies of feed, forage and bedding.
A looming forage crisis is adding significant financial pressure to beef and dairy farms that have already seen massive increases in feed, fertiliser, fuel and energy prices this year.
The prolonged dry spell severely stunted grass growth in the summer and early autumn and it caused farmers to start using up their winter feed stocks for their livestock.
See also: Forage Aid gears up for busy winter feed campaign
Somerset beef and arable farmer James Winslade said some cattle farmers had already finished their reserves of first-cut silage and were now breaking into their second cut.
Drought conditions later in the season failed to kickstart grass growth and left many farmers unable to take a third cut of silage.
Farming charity Forage Aid held an internal meeting on Monday 24 October and concerns were raised that some beef and dairy farmers were close to running out of their winter feed supplies now.
Strong beef prices
Mr Winslade, co-founder of Forage Aid, said he had assessed the situation with his own herd and decided on an early sale of half a dozen poor-performing beef cattle to reduce his costs. Strong beef prices had also influenced his decision to sell now, he added.
“If you think that you are going to be struggling for forage this winter, cash in on ill-performing cows and your finished or nearly finished cattle, so that you know you have got enough feed for your better performing cows and your other stock for the winter,” advised Mr Winslade.
“Prices are good. Cash them in and get the money,” he added.
Mr Winslade noted that half of the single farm payment was paid in July this year, with the balance payment to be paid from 1 December. But some farmers may be working on the basis that they will receive a full payment in December.
“It is easy to forget we have had half of the single farm payment already. December is going to be hard as there are a lot of bills to pay,” he said.
In addition, Mr Winslade said the possibility of extreme weather in the winter, such as flooding or a cold snap, could add further pressure on dwindling forage stocks for livestock farmers.
Serious situation
Andrew Ward, an arable farmer based in Lincolnshire and Forage Aid co-founder and chairman, said: “Some livestock farmers are hell bent on not reducing their stock numbers, but it is ridiculous if they are not offloading their poorer quality stock when beef prices are so good.
“It would make sense for farmers to look at their stock, get some of them to market and reduce the forage requirement for the winter to make what you have got go further.
“People are not taking it seriously enough about how difficult things could get this winter.”
Livestock farmers across the UK who are concerned about their feed situations are being encouraged to visit the Forage Aid website and register their details.
For further details on Forage Aid, call 07967 219991 or email info@forageaid.org.uk. Any farmer who needs support can call Farming Help on 03000 111 999.
