Friday night will be cool, with some patchy drizzle and mist in places overnight, mostly the northern half of the country. Overnight lows will be 7°C or 8°C in cloudy areas, but possibly 3°C or 4°C in parts of the southwest where clear periods may develop with some patchy fog.

Saturday

Mostly dry on Saturday, but rather cloudy in the morning over the northern half of the country, with a little patchy rain. Brighter and generally dry here in the afternoon, with perhaps a scattering of showers in southern parts. Highs of 10°C or 11°C in the north and northeast to about 14°C or possibly 15°C in the southwest. Winds will be light. Cold on Saturday night, with some grass frost, especially in northern areas.

Sunday

Mainly dry and bright on Sunday, with some scattered showers. Highs of 11°C to 14°C. Some showery rain moving into northern areas on Sunday evening and spreading southwards overnight.

Early next week

Cold bright weather, with freshening northerly winds which will bring showers or showery rain southwards at times. Particularly cold in northern parts, with perhaps some wintry showers in mountainous areas. Temperatures ranging from about 6°C or 7°C in some northern parts to 10°C or 11°C in the south. Frosty nights.

Management notes

Beef: In this week’s beef management notes, Adam Woods looks at doing a silage budget for winter 2017/18.

Dairy: The dry weather has put a bit of a dampener on grass growth. Now is the right time to spray weeds and wean the heifer calves.

Sheep: Farmers should continue to be vigilant of the threat of nematodirus and it’s time to tag lambs being sold in marts.

Tillage: While septoria is the key concern, watch out for mildew and yellow rust, as both have been present this spring.