Dry spell proves costly

Sadris Pastars, Nedela Marin and Micheal Carroll harvesting cauliflower for JFS Produce in Rallekaystown, Co Dublin. John Fynes and Liam Fynes, who operate JFS Produce, say it’s been one of the driest Aprils on record. Five passes of the irrigator will cost the business an extra 10c per head of cauliflower. \ Philip Doyle

Micheal Carroll. \ Philip Doyle

Sadris Pastars, Nedela Marin and Micheal Carroll . \ Philip Doyle

Ned Marin. \ Philip Doyle

Sadris Pastars, Nedela Marin and Micheal Carroll harvesting cauliflower for JFS Produce in Rallekaystown, Co Dublin.

Boat to Algeria waits

The livestock carrier Sarah M is moored in the mouth of Waterford Estuary between Dunmore East and Hook Lighthouse. A shipment of cattle which was due to sail for Algeria on Friday was this week postponed, halting the boat’s entry into Waterford port. \ Donal O’Leary

The shipment was at risk by outstanding operational issues between the Department of Agriculture and the exporters. The Irish Farmers Journal understands the ship is costing €20,000/day for every day it's there. \ Donal O’Leary

Triplet heifer calves in Co Meath

Dairy farmer Brian McKeon and his sons Tommy and Luke with triplet heifer calves born on 7 May at their farm in Kilskyre, Co Meath. \ Barry Cronin

One of triplet heifer calves born on 7 May on the McKeon farm in Kilskyre, Co Meath. \ Barry Cronin

My Farming Week: Michael McKeefry, Swatragh, Co Derry

Michael McKeefrey with a couple of his 16-month-old Limousin bulls on his farm in Garvagh, Co Derry. Michael McKeefry runs the Eniver herd of pedigree Limousins in Co Derry. While home sales for breeding bulls is good, moving society sales to online bidding has been challenging. \ Houston Green

I farm: “I farm just over 100ac of grassland outside Swatragh in Co Derry. The farm carries 27 pedigree Limousin cows and around 90 crossbred ewes.” \ Houston Green

Picking up silage on the clifftops of Bullscove

Denny McCarthy picking up silage on the clifftops at Bullscove, Ardfield, Co Cork. After experiencing a damp start to the month in the southwest, silage harvesting has moved up a gear this week, with cool but dry weather helping ground conditions. \ Tommy Moyles

Denny McCarthy picking up silage on the clifftops at Bullscove, Ardfield, Co Cork.

Lar Fitzharris's Hereford calf enterprise

Lar Fitzharris is a 12-year-old young farmer from Ballycullane, Co Wexford, who decided to keep himself busy during the COVID-19 lockdown by setting up his own Hereford calf enterprise. He purchased 10 calves with his confirmation money. He is feeding them everyday with fresh milk from his dad’s dairy herd and ration. He is hoping to breed from these calves down the line. He is getting help with the herd from his sister Hannah. It is keeping them busy while they miss friends, school and, in particular for Lar, his rugby. \ Claire Nash

Lar Fitzharris and his sister Hannah. \ Claire Nash

Spraying malting barley for aphids and weeds in Co Kildare

Farmer and contractor Paul Cushen from Stradbally grabs every inch of evening light spraying malting barley for aphids and weeds in Kilmead, Co Kildare, for Tom Moran. He is spraying a mix of nautius, liberty 1.0, Karis and cereal aloy 1.0. Paul sprays about 600ac a year for other farmers. \ Philip Doyle

Farmer and contractor Paul Cushen from Stradbally grabs every inch of evening light spraying malting barley for aphids and weeds in Kilmead, Co Kildare, for Tom Moran. \ Philip Doyle

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This week in photos: drawing silage, picking strawberries and making hay

This week in photos: farming for generations

This week in photos: Tayto crisps and raking, making and wrapping bales