Winter feed policy bumps up costs

摘要

Rising costs and harsh weather mean it has been another tough winter for all livestock farmers. Aled Jones is grateful that, so far, this winter hasn't been as bad as last year, despite nearly 8in of snow falling before Christmas and temperatures dropping to -16C. "I think we've got away with the weather so far and it hasn't caused too many problems," he says. "With the depth of snow we had, sheep were able to scratch around and get to the grass without too much trouble. Now die snow5 s gone the grass has greened up nicely and the sheep look in decent condition." But grazing has had to be supplemented with extra feed blocks and silage, which has bumped up costs. Mr Jones says about 5t of Rumenco blocks have been used so far, compared with nearer 2tin an average year. About 30 bales of silage have also been used, out of the 163 made as an "insurance policy" off an old pasture field after the harsh 2009/10 winter.