Busy times for facilities that process dead farm animals

SCARCITY of feed is leading to much higher mortality rates amongst livestock.

So report dead animal removers across Mayo when asked by The Connaught Telegraph to comment on the effects of the continuing fodder crisis.

John Gallagher, who operates a removal service from a base in the Kiltimagh area, says: “I have never been busier bringing dead animals to the knacker's yard in Cavan.

“There have been a lot more deaths this year than any year. There's no feeding in the silage that is available. There's no 'sugar' in it.”

It's a double whammy financially for farmers who lose livestock.

They must also pay the operators of the facilities that process dead animals.

The lack of grass growth so far this year is pronounced right across Ireland. Relief efforts to import emergency supplies of fodders are underway in southern counties which have been particularly rain-lashed.

According to John O'Hara from Bonniconlon, Ballina, a member of Mayo County Council, every farmer is running low.

Councillor O'Hara says he knows one of one farmer in the Ballina area who has to ration his dwindling stocks of silage - 18 bales - amongst 86 hungry cattle.

An indication of the fodder 'famine' is the fact that bales of hay locally are now fetching €60 per bale, double last year's price.