Farmers in north Cork have started harvesting winter barley at least 10 days ahead of the normal harvesting period.

The early harvest has been kick-started by the dry spell, which has seen record-breaking levels of sunshine and temperature highs during the week.

The dry spell is expected to continue, with Met Éireann issuing a status yellow weather warning, with drought or drought-like conditions expected until Friday 6 July.

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A large amount of hay has also been made across the country, with some farmers even rolling out balers bought in the 1960s to make small square bales.

The dry weather has not been all good news, however, as crops such as potatoes and broccoli have been suffering due to the heat.

IFA horticulture chair Paul Brophy called for a special derogation to allow farmers to draw water from lakes and rivers to irrigate crops during the prolonged dry spell.

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