50% of farms in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have cattle housed
Heavy rainfall in August and September has seriously affected cattle and dairy farming in the northwest. A survey conducted by Teagasc highlights the extent of the issue.
A general view of some of the damage in a field of John Buckley, Aughaville, Bantry, Co Cork, after 75mm (three inches) of rain fell in 36 hours on Monday and Tuesday. The average rainfall for John's farm is 1,600mm (64 inches). So far this year, they have got 1,350mm (54 inches) of which 500mm (20 inches) fell since 1 July. Photo: Donal O'Leary
Data collected by Teagasc shows that 48% of the advisory body’s cattle clients, and 50% of dairy clients, in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have animals housed. In August, 15% of clients had cattle housed, compared with 10% of Teagasc’s dairy clients in those counties.
The data was collected at the end of September and does not take into account any changes in the situation that may have happened in the last week.
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Teagasc conducted the assessment in order to tailor advice to farmers affected. The weather survey of cattle farmers in Mayo shows that 20% of Teagasc clients there have cattle housed, with just 5% of them having cattle housed in August.
This situation presents two issues – the first is slurry storage. A shocking 45% of Teagasc’s cattle clients in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, and 50% of dairy clients, have slurry tanks yet to be emptied. Up to one third of Mayo farmers and up to a half of Donegal farmers have slurry tanks that need to be emptied before the closing date for slurry spreading.
The second issue is fodder for the winter. Early housing is eating into fodder banks sooner than planned. Just under half of cattle and dairy clients in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are reporting inadequate quantities of feed stored for winter. Another issue with fodder is the quality of it with a similar proportion of farmers reporting poor quality on farms. Silage-cutting was seriously delayed on most farms and the area cut was seriously reduced on others. Silage quality is poor on 50% to 60% of farms.
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Data collected by Teagasc shows that 48% of the advisory body’s cattle clients, and 50% of dairy clients, in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have animals housed. In August, 15% of clients had cattle housed, compared with 10% of Teagasc’s dairy clients in those counties.
The data was collected at the end of September and does not take into account any changes in the situation that may have happened in the last week.
Teagasc conducted the assessment in order to tailor advice to farmers affected. The weather survey of cattle farmers in Mayo shows that 20% of Teagasc clients there have cattle housed, with just 5% of them having cattle housed in August.
This situation presents two issues – the first is slurry storage. A shocking 45% of Teagasc’s cattle clients in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, and 50% of dairy clients, have slurry tanks yet to be emptied. Up to one third of Mayo farmers and up to a half of Donegal farmers have slurry tanks that need to be emptied before the closing date for slurry spreading.
The second issue is fodder for the winter. Early housing is eating into fodder banks sooner than planned. Just under half of cattle and dairy clients in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are reporting inadequate quantities of feed stored for winter. Another issue with fodder is the quality of it with a similar proportion of farmers reporting poor quality on farms. Silage-cutting was seriously delayed on most farms and the area cut was seriously reduced on others. Silage quality is poor on 50% to 60% of farms.
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