Following the poor summer weather, the NFU has relaunched its Fodder Bank scheme, with the aim of enabling farmers whose forage yields were hit by the poor weather this year to find adequate forage for winter.

The service was launched over five years ago by the NFU, to match up farmers looking for feed or bedding with others who have a surplus; the union said it has proven effective in extremely wet and dry years. The union said that, in light of the damage done by the wettest, dimmest summer on record, some farmers have taken “drastic steps” to reduce stocking levels to deal with a lack of winter fodder.

Commenting on the relaunch on Thursday (22nd November), NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe said, “Farmers across the country are experiencing problems with both the quantity and quality of forage made this year on farm and with the continued high prices for purchased feed. I hope that members will take full advantage of the service to appeal for stocks or list any fodder they have to sell.”

The service is available to NFU members, and can be accessed here.

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