Ballyshannon Mart initiative helps alleviate fodder shortage

With fodder scarcity reaching crisis point, committee members of Ballyshannon Mart took advantage of the recently extended fodder crisis scheme which provides for 50% subsidy on the transport of fodder.

Local  mart committee man and  ICSA Rural Development Chairman John  Barron and fellow Ballyshannon Mart Committee members , Andrew  Mc Shea (Mart Secretary), and  Gerry Ferguson ( committee member) were tasked with  registering for Government fodder aid, sourcing the  fodder,  arranging transport, payment and  distribution.

However bank regulations proved to be major problem and almost prevented the purchase of the much needed fodder. Eventually goodwill by the supplier enabled payment to be completed via the postal service, as bank regulations prevented direct transfer payment.

The committee must be congratulated for the initiative and persistence in completing the delivery of these urgent supplies.

The fodder was sourced in Somerset in the south of England and Daytona Haulage from Donegal Town were employed at short notice as hauliers. The hay arrived in Ballyshannon on Wednesday May 22^nd   just before midnight and local farmers and committee members worked long into the night to unload and distribute the precious cargo. Now that a supply chain has been established, the organizers are continuing to arrange delivery of additional supplies this week.