Unfavorable weather conditions have left an impression not only on the agricultural sector of Estonia but also affected dairy farms, even so badly that in some places fodder was provided only for half of the winter, writes ERR News.
On the 31st of July, the Estonian news program Aktuaalne Kaamera reported that the lack of fodder and the corresponding increase in its prices make it necessary to consider reducing herds.
The Viraito farming collective uses silage made from this year’s early harvest to feed cows. Collective agronomist Riho Ken Aktuaalne Kaamera said that in a normal year at this time, three-quarters of fodder for the winter would have been procured, but currently half has been collected at best. He added that the situation is saved by the fairly good corn harvest.
The program reported that the shortage of fodder has also significantly raised its price.
Kens said: “The most intriguing price I have come across up to now is 50 euros for a bale of hay, while for silage the price is 150 euros per tonne, I’ve heard. In a normal year, the price stands at 50-60 euros per tonne.”
Agricultural company Pajusi ABF stated that in other years around six thousand rolls of hay were collected at this time, but this year they are only 410 rolls. Only 1,500 tons of silage was procured instead of the usual 4,000 tons, and part of it was obtained from processed cereals.
Pajusi ABF manager and owner Lembit Paal said about half are still missing.
Paal added that the cattle have already been given this year’s silage, while the lack of feed and rising costs will also affect milk prices.
This means that many dairy cows will end up in the slaughterhouse.
The head of Pajusi ABF stated that many who applied for grazing subsidies were unable to procure fodder, which means that the herds will be eliminated at the end of August or in September-October.
Milk procurement prices are currently low, but after the completion of a new dairy complex in Paide, demand will rise again, and so will prices.
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