Farmers are this week receiving an advance payment from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) to support them with buying feed and bedding for livestock, which is in short supply due to the dry weather.
The warm temperatures and lack of rain mean that crops and grass, which provide food for livestock, are struggling to grow.
The shortage has seen an increase in demand for these products on the open market, which has pushed prices higher, in turn putting pressure on farmers’ finances.
Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, Geoffrey Boot MHK, said:
'This is a rapid response by DEFA. We are introducing this urgent measure to address the scarcity of supply of feed and bedding.
'We continue to work with industry and the Manx National Farmers Union to ensure that farmers are fully supported during the dry weather. As part of this, we are exploring other measures DEFA may be able to introduce in order to assist further, should the need arise.'
The payment to farmers will see an advance of 10% of the financial support farmers receive under the Agricultural Development Scheme. It means farmers will this month receive 60% of their annual total, up from the usual 50% paid in July. The advance funding will improve cash flow for farmers so they can purchase grass and straw for the winter.
