DAIRY farmers could face feed shortages over the winter after a lack of rain forced them to use supplies earlier than usual, writes Rebecca Pocklington.

Mansel Raymond, NFU dairy board chairman, said: “Forage stocks are starting to run seriously low with some farmers reporting a drop in first cut silage yields of 20 to 30 per cent and up to 50 per cent lower yields for their second cut. On top of that, straw is also in very short supply.”