IFA president Joe Healy has urged farmers to take care of themselves as the country braces itself for Storm Emma.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Healy said the biggest asset on any farm is the farmer and advised them to take extra care when looking after animals.

He warned them to be careful when walking on slippery yards, rolling back silage covers and moving animals.

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He told RTÉ that sheep farmers were constantly checking stock outdoors and making sure ewes and lambs were eating and had adequate shelter.

On fodder, Healy said that there is adequate fodder on most farms, following a county-twinning initiative from the IFA that matched farmers in the south and east with farmers in the north and northwest.

Farm management advice

  • Darren Carty says snow drifts and wind chill pose the greatest risk to ewes and lambs.
  • Michael Collins on how to keep your tractor and farm equipment moving in the big freeze.
  • William Conlon writes about how to deal with frozen pipes.
  • Aidan Brennan says farmers should consider milking cows just once a day.

  • Adam Woods writes about temporary shelters and ad-lib feeding during the severe weather.

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