Silage suffers as wet weather continues

The persistent rain is taking its toll on many farmers on heavier farms.

The feeling of frustration and concern among farmers in northwest Connacht is rising as wet weather conditions in the last month have hindered many farmers’ attempts to make silage.

While drier areas of the country are finding it difficult to get the second cut of the season, many farmers in counties west of the Shannon have yet to cut silage this year at all.

Former chair of Leitrim IFA and Aughnasheelin farmer Pat Gilhooley believes the scarcity of grass is a big reason for concern.

“There is no growth. The amount of water that is lying in the field means the grass hasn’t grown in this last month. With the sort of weather we are getting, we can’t get the crops and we can’t get the silage made because we are not getting the chance,” Gilhooley explained to the Irish Farmers Journal this week.

While some silage has been cut, land has suffered as a result, with farmers commenting that machinery has damaged land in the process.

With a certain feeling of desperation, Gilhooley has also warned that some farmers may have to re-house livestock if this weather pattern continues.

“The sad fact is that grass is so scarce at the moment that people will have to re-house cattle and start feeding silage if they have it. All we can do is hope the weather will improve so we can get the silage made,” he said.

Under regulation of GLAS, many farmers were restricted to cut silage before 1 July but continuous wet condition since has left many with no silage cut.

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