Long hot summer is a challenge for farmers
A COMBINATION of a long hot summer and increased costs is challenging local farmers this season.
They are facing increased costs for feed and fertiliser while a long spell of dry weather is forcing them to dip into stores of winter food.
Along with driving diesel-guzzling tractors and rising food prices, it all adds up to a cost of living crisis for the industry.
‘The whole year has been a challenge – it started with high fertiliser and feed prices because of things going wrong elsewhere,’ said Robert Waters from La Petite Croute Farm.
Despite one of the hottest Julys to date, he said there were solutions to keep the animals well fed and watered.
‘We can cope with the dry weather – we can bring food forward from the year or rent extra land.The things that are really hurting are the increased feed prices because of the war, and fertiliser prices because of gas shortages.’
Following soaring temperatures this week, local farmer Rodney Dyke said it was important for animals to be kept hydrated and well-fed.
‘The cows are drinking twice the amount of water now, which is keeping them cool.
‘They, donkeys and goats have a lot of shade and they are coping with it fine,’ he said.
However, food stores were being dipped into.
‘There’s no grass,’ he said.
‘We have bales of hay which will see us through.’
He compared the situation to struggles in 1976, but said this was bearable.
‘I was farming back then and by the end of July we had to start buying food from the mainland. It’s not as bad as that now – we have enough.’
Thankfully, Guernsey cows seemed more resilient to heat, said James Bartlett, a visiting judge for last week’s Royal Guernsey Agricultural and Horticultural Show.
‘Guernsey cows cope with the heat better than some other breeds I have noticed.’
The dry weather was still causing problems though.
‘There is not much grass and two farms are using their winter food already.’
Jenny Naftel from Les Fauconnaires Farm said they were managing.
‘We have plenty of food but the fields do have less grass than usual,’ she said.
‘We have done the silage and have a grass store... there is plenty of food and water.’
The animals were also coping well.
‘They have access to the shed and field so can go out for fresh air, or into the shed for shade.’
