The Irish Veterinary Association has expressed concern at an increase in cases of animal starvation as the fodder crisis worsens.
The IVA said that vets in practice and in local authority employment are increasingly encountering cases of cruelty caused by food shortage and difficult weather conditions.
The statement was issued as gardai in Rosscarbery, Co Cork, began an investigation into the dumping of the carcases of 20 cows and calves near the town.
The Co Cork Veterinary Officer, Mr Gerard Buckley, warned that the incidence of illegal dumping will increase as the fodder shortage continues.
He said that the dumping could also create a health hazard and that there had been several incidences in north and west Cork in recent weeks.
The animals which were dumped in Roscarbery had their ears cut off so that their owner could not be identified by checking on the ear tags, which are mandatory.
The IVA said that no farmer would willingly permit animals to suffer from starvation, but this would become an increasing problem if the difficulties caused by the current food crisis were not addressed urgently.
"Starvation and suffering are avoidable if the Department of Agriculture utilises available expertise. Farms with problems require to be identified and appropriate feeding and management strategies put in place," said the statement.
It added that the IVA would welcome an opportunity to participate in providing resources to prevent animal suffering, and also help safeguard farm viability.
It added that it is possible to devise solutions based on the use of up to almost 100 per cent concentrate cattle feed, with straw, silage or hay to provide roughage.
But yesterday the chief executive of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mr Ciaran O'Donovan, said that the farmers hardest hit by the problem had no money to buy cattle fodder.
Mr O'Donovan said he will be meeting Department of Agriculture officials next week to seek assistance.
The price of a bale of silage has risen to £32 in the west. Last year bales of silage could be bought for £12.