This week in photos: a race against the weather

Eppy Hartnett of Hartnett Agri Contractors in Ballynoe and Darren Foley of Farmpower, Castlelyons, baling silage for Denis McDonnell at Coolagown, Co Cork. \ Donal O’Leary

Kiernan Milling and the National Ploughing Assocation held a ploughing safety day for local secondary school students in Granard, Co Longford. The day was focused on teaching students the basics of ploughing skills, farm safety and even featured a talk from local gardaí. \ Philip Doyle

Cathal, Doireann and Eimear Rossitor from Foulksmills, Co Wexford, enjoying some ice cream at the European Ploughing Championships in Ballinaboola, Co Wexford. \ Mary Browne

Robert Keating from Ballygalvert, Co Wexford. \ Mary Browne

Brian Mahon competing in the reversible class. \ Mary Browne

Wexford man Dan Donnelly from Kilmuckridge competing in the reversible class. \ Mary Browne

Derek Keogh and his team at Keogh Farms planting Roosters in Lispopple, Co Dublin. Keoghs plants around 350ha each year. This year, potato seeds are costing around €700/t versus €550/t last year, mainly due to the poor yields from the crops in 2018. The ridged ground is first bed-tilled and de-stoned with two Grimme de-stoners before the seeds are planted. With dark clouds looming, it is a race to get the crop sown before the weather turns. \ Philip Doyle

Sean Neville and Michael O'Sullivan from Ballylongford, Co Kerry. \ Donal O'Leary

Joe Kearney from Castleisland and Martin Hallissey of Hallissey Exporters in Killarney. \ Donal O'Leary

Auctioneers Dermot Lenihan and Seamus McCarthy. \ Donal O'Leary

Michael Mullane from Ballyquirke, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, watching the sales ring. \ Donal O'Leary

John Flavin from Garryvoe, Co Cork, setting Planet malting barley at a rate of 73kg per acre near Shanagarry, Co Cork, for Dunne Farming of Garryvoe. Good planting progress was made in many parts of the country last week before the wet weather returned. \ Donal O’Leary