Dept Extends Concentrate Feed Deadline to Meet Protein Requirements
IFA Dairy chair Stephen Arthur said the Department of Agriculture has made the right call in confirming that farmers can continue to feed a higher protein concentrate, where required, during the very difficult weather conditions.
IFA had been in contact with DAFM officials on the need to extend the April 15th date whereby the maximum protein amount for concentrate feed purchased would have dropped to 15%. DAFM have now confirmed this.
“Farmers have been unable to get cows out to grass fulltime by mid-April, as would normally be the case. In many instances, this means for cows to get the correct nutritional requirements, they still require a concentrate feed with a protein content of over 15%,” he said.
“Farmers need every support they can receive through this period and DAFM has recognised the need to allow the feeding of concentrates with appropriate protein to meet the need of cows,” Stephen Arthur concluded.
