The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s  Agricultural Advisory Service is offering livestock farmers a free nutrition and rationing workshop at 7pm on Tuesday 30th October at DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St Johns.

Farmers on the Isle of Man have struggled this year to produce feed for their animals due to the very wet weather during the summer. With poorer quality silage and feed cereals and increased costs for purchased feed, they face a difficult winter.

The workshop will consider the practical aspects of feeding all classes of cattle and sheep, how to evaluate different feeds and what practical feeding options there are for stock this winter. Farmers should call 685844 and speak to Andy or Chris to book a place on the workshop.

 Andy Macdonald, SAC agricultural adviser said: “we hope that this workshop will provide timely help to livestock farmers who may be concerned about how best to feed their animals this winter, given the economic impact of increased costs.  This problem is not restricted to the Isle of Man but is shared with farmers in neighbouring jurisdictions and a range of options will be discussed at the workshop.  By acting now, farmers will be better placed to get though the winter and, potentially, take advantage of better prices for cattle, in particular, next year”.