Farmers say the Fodder Transport Scheme will help feed their animals during this period of difficult weather. 

Heavy rain since the start of the year has meant farmers have not been able to allow their cows and sheep to graze.

Under the scheme, farmers will receive up to €40 for every bale that is transported over 75 kilometres.

IFA President Francie Gorman explains how the scheme will work. 

“If there’s silage for sale, say, where I am in County Laois and it’s needed in County Cork, it will be delivered from me to a co-op in County Cork [and] they will pay me for fodder,” he said. 

“Then the farmer who is dealing with the co-op, they will pay the co-op and the transport subsidy will be paid through the co-op to whoever transports the fodder.”

October 26, 2007: Farmers Using Tractors To Make Silage; Farming (Credit Image: © The Irish Image Collection/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire)

Mr Gorman said the scheme is essential as some areas have a surplus of silage, whereas others have a severe shortage. 

“There’s excess fodder on some farms and not on others,” he said. 

“We need to get the fodder from where it is to where it’s needed and there is a lot of fodder on farms in the form of grass - which wasn’t the case maybe if you go back the previous year. 

“So, it is really weather related and this is helpful - unquestionably.” 

The weather in Ireland since last July has been described by one expert as “exceptionally” bad.

Main image: A farmer with bales of silage. Picture by: Alamy.com