Prices for fodder rocket in big dry

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive officer Peter Skillern said in some parts of the state small bales of fodder were reaching prices as high as $15, which was triple the price they would usually be.

‘‘It’s just a supply-demand situation,’’ he said.

‘‘It is varying but I’ve seen the small square bales go for $19 and the small round bales go for $15.’’

Mr Skillern said the entire state was affected by the fodder shortage, but the problem was worse in some areas than others.

‘‘This is not magically going to be fixed, even if it started raining in the next week, this shortage will continue into next winter and spring,’’ he said.

Some solutions farmers could implement would be to manage their on-farm food and fodder supplies as best as they could.

‘‘You need to ensure you’re maximising whatever resources you to have to provide feed for stock,’’ he said.

Another alternative for farmers would be to manage their livestock numbers.

However, Mr Skillern said there would have to be long-term mitigation strategies put in place to help address the situation for the future and short-term fixes would not fix the whole problem.

‘‘Part one of the project we are undertaking is to research ways to mitigate fodder shortages,’’ he said

A food and fodder register is one of the ways the TFGA is working with the state government to help address the issue going into the future.

Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the government had provided $44,000 for the register, which was one of the ways the state government was assisting with the shortage.

‘‘Farmers are the lifeblood of Tasmania, particularly our rural communities, and this government is committed to supporting them through the good times and when times get tough,’’ he said.

‘‘We provide a range of support, advice and practical tools to assist farmers facing the challenges of dry conditions including strategies on managing livestock, feed and fodder.’’

Mr Rockliff said the government had taken targeted action before summer and announced some assistance measures but said it would be monitoring the situation to respond if necessary.

The feed and fodder register is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.