Leitrim Council Cathaoirleach Paddy O' Rourke says farmers should avail of the latest help to grow silage, even if they feel it isn't enough.
The Fianna Fail councillor who's in the business of fodder transport was commenting on reports that farmers are to get €100 per hectare grant aid for all silage cut, up to 10 hectares.
It's the latest government proposals to help farmers meet the hugely increased input costs for the sector.
Councillor O' Rourke says some farmers had been considering not growing silage at all because of the huge increase in fertiliser cost, and buying in fodder from southern counties later in the year.
He's warning though that extra fodder isn't likely to be available at an affordable cost.
''That is not going to be a runner. And I say that with deep regret, because it's going to have an impact on my business, but it simply won't be there. Because even before this crisis would fertilizer prices etc. There was a very strong evidence of increased demand from dairy farmers in that part of the country, who had dramatically raised their herd size without any equivalent increase in acreage and they have become partially dependent on bought in further, they are in a stronger position to pay higher prices.''
