The heavy rains of the last fortnight are taking a toll along the western seaboard, with those farming heavier soils forced to house stock.
Grazing conditions have taken a hammering across Connacht, the southwest and west Ulster as a result of near monsoon conditions over the last 10 days.
Met Éireann data for Valentia, Shannon, Claremorris and Finner confirm that rainfall is running at double the September average along the Atlantic seaboard.
Many dairy farmers in the west and mid-west have been forced to house cows at night as a result of the deteriorating ground conditions. Anecdotal evidence suggests that milk yields have taken a hit as a consequence.
The number of cattle being forced off the land is also reflected in mart entries.
Nelius McAuliffe of Castleisland Mart said cow numbers in sales are up 20% compared to last year.
“Cows are coming out a lot earlier and that’s down to the weather,” he said.
While Joe Patton of Teagasc accepted that ground conditions are challenging in many parts of the west, he maintained that the forced housing of stock was localised.
“This isn’t turning into the start of a long winter just yet,” Patton said.
He pointed out that the rain was badly needed in much of the east and southeast, but has come too late to allow farmers to rebuild grass covers.
Patton urged farmers on heavy ground to keep cows on grass for as long as possible each day.
The heavy rains of the last fortnight are taking a toll along the western seaboard, with those farming heavier soils forced to house stock.
Grazing conditions have taken a hammering across Connacht, the southwest and west Ulster as a result of near monsoon conditions over the last 10 days.
Met Éireann data for Valentia, Shannon, Claremorris and Finner confirm that rainfall is running at double the September average along the Atlantic seaboard.
Many dairy farmers in the west and mid-west have been forced to house cows at night as a result of the deteriorating ground conditions. Anecdotal evidence suggests that milk yields have taken a hit as a consequence.
The number of cattle being forced off the land is also reflected in mart entries.
Nelius McAuliffe of Castleisland Mart said cow numbers in sales are up 20% compared to last year.
“Cows are coming out a lot earlier and that’s down to the weather,” he said.
While Joe Patton of Teagasc accepted that ground conditions are challenging in many parts of the west, he maintained that the forced housing of stock was localised.
“This isn’t turning into the start of a long winter just yet,” Patton said.
He pointed out that the rain was badly needed in much of the east and southeast, but has come too late to allow farmers to rebuild grass covers.
Patton urged farmers on heavy ground to keep cows on grass for as long as possible each day.
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