SHORTAGE of fodder, and little or no grass growth, is reaching crisis point on farms the length and breadth of Scotland.

The cost of trying to source vital feed supplies is rocketing by the day, with reports of £160 to £250 a tonne being paid for straw, up to £35 for a bale of silage, and hay almost non-existent.

There are also claims that the Scottish Government is turning a blind eye to the feed situation and that the recently formed Weather Group – created specifically to deal with weather problems – has only delivered one report.

Chairman of NFU Scotland’s Argyll and Islands area, John Dickson, told The Scottish Farmer: “Many farmers in my area are beginning to run into serious problems with all types of fodder becoming scarcer by the day. I am not aware of people not being able to get fodder but they are having to dig deep to pay for it.

“With little sign of the weather improving there is also very little growth. I have had reports of straw fetching between £160 and £250 a tonne. Hay is very scarce with very little left and any silage that can be found is making an eye-watering £35 a bale.

“I, like many others, can’t understand why politicians seem to think weather aid isn’t needed," said Mr Dickson. "Also surely the weather group, which has I understand met only once since its formation should be monitoring the situation more closely.

“Stock numbers in this area, especially sheep, have been going down steadily, some farmers finding it more and more difficult to survive and some perhaps ready to throw in the towel.”

Down in Ayrshire, some farmers have found a good samaritan in the Rowney brothers, of Burton farm, Maybole, who have been keeping their neighbours supplied with vital supplies of silage for weeks.

Philip Rowney said: “We’ve been lucky in having enough silage to help some of the neighbours out. Way back in the 70s we ran out of silage ourselves and vowed then never to run out again.

“We’ve had six farmers coming to us from early February. We’re charging £25 a tonne, but our stocks are now getting to the stage where we will need to call it a day. It could be another two to three weeks before we can put the cows out. There is very little green, and I think we can forget a spring flush this year.”

John Briggs, of Kilhenzie farm, Maybole said: “We’ve been taking 10 tonnes from the Rowney’s every second day to feed on a 50-50 ration with our own silage. We have only around a week’s supply left to feed our 300 cows.We might get the young stock out this week, but the older ones will have to stay inside as there is just hardly any growth.”

Another customer is Steven Andrew, Moorston farm, Dalry said: “ Last year we got our first cut but only half of our second cut to feed our 300 cows. It’s fortunate the Rowney’s have been able to help out. We have had 55 loads, with 13 tonnes in each load in order to keep us going."

Robin Spence, of Roberthill farm, Lockerbie, said: “A lot of people in this area have little fodder left, a number have already run out or will do in the next week and there is hardly any grass growth.

“And there could be more trouble ahead," warned Mr Spence. "With the buffer gone and the likelihood of a late harvest which will hit straw supplies, next year could be yet another struggle.”