Farmers groups have urged the Government to act quickly to prevent a second fodder crisis this year following a pledge from the Minister for Agriculture today to help farmers hit by the summer drought.
Visiting the Tullamore Show in Co Offaly, Michael Creed said measures to support a fodder import scheme would be unveiled in due course.
The minister has come under pressure from farmers to do more to address the fodder crisis and income fears as a result of the drought.
Teagasc warned this will severely set back farm family incomes in 2018.
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Speaking today, Mr Creed said a fodder import scheme would be unveiled in due course.
He also announced a two-week extension to the deadline for the spreading of slurry and chemical fertilisers in order to maximise autumn grass growth.
In April this year, Mr Creed announced the allocation of €1.5m for the introduction of a Fodder Import Support Measure in response to the bad winter.
More than 60,000 people were expected at the 24th Tullamore Show today.
It is the largest one-day agricultural exhibition in the country, and one of the largest outright after the Balmoral Show and the National Ploughing Championships, which take place next month.
There are more than 1,000 competitions in the show, with more than 2,000 animals taking part and with €175,000 in prize money up for grabs in the FBD National Livestock Show.
In addition to the livestock, there will be flowers, fashion, sheepdogs, alpacas, pig agility trials, bonny babies, and much more.
