NFU launches fodder bank for farmers short of animal bedding & feed

As the autumn temperatures fall, it’s imperative that farmers have sufficient provisions of feed, fodder and bedding for their livestock.

Following this summer’s disappointing harvest, heavy rain and flooding, some farmers have found they are short of these essentials. It’s for that reason, the NFU today launched a national fodder bank on the pages of its website: nfuonline.com

NFU North West’s crops chairman, Richard Reeves, of Knutsford in Cheshire, said: "Our arable members may have a surplus of feed cereal and straw which has proved difficult to market through the usual channels due to quality and volume as stipulated in grain contracts.

"Reacting to this, the NFU’s new fodder bank gives farmers the opportunity to list what feed or bedding they are short of, or what surpluses they have available to sell."

NFU’s North West dairy board chairman, Mike Taylor, of Burton in Kendal, Cumbria added: "Animal welfare is paramount so when there is a shortage of feed and bedding, it is a very serious issue indeed.

"Dairy and beef cows require a mixture of forage and concentrate feed to maintain a balanced diet. You cannot just replace forage with a concentrate feed because it would upset their digestive systems.

"The NFU’s fodder bank will make life that little bit easier for the region’s livestock keepers. This year, due to the bad weather, many farmers have already eaten into their winter forage stocks as they have had to house cattle over the summer when the weather was bad. This will help people with those shortfalls."

NFU members can send their details to the organisation by visiting www.nfuonline.com/x32003.xml

They will have to give their name, address, membership number, contact details and what they are trying to sell or source. This will then be published on the regional pages of nfuonline.