The recent warm weather, combined with low humidity and a drying breeze, has created the perfect silage and hay-making weather.

However, it is less than ideal conditions for concrete work, as builders are reporting that concrete is rapidly curing in the intense heat.

Where this occurs, the timeframe for concrete works is dramatically shortened.

A high ambient temperature (air temperature) of 20°C or above should not, on its own, cause the overly quick curing of concrete. But with the addition of low humidity levels and a drying wind like we have been experiencing recently, the perfect storm is created for the concrete to cure or ‘go off’ quicker than it can be laid.

Advice

The general advice would be that works outside, such as pouring of tank floors, silage slabs, yards, etc, should be postponed until less intense temperatures and drying conditions are present.

Works completed inside in a shed in the shade, such as laying cubicles or feed passages, or any works associated with pouring mass concrete walls should be ok to proceed with.

Where it is absolutely necessary to complete works outside, ensure that there is sufficient help available to lay the concrete as required.

The over-wetting of concrete should not be completed, as it will affect the strength of the cured concrete.

When the concrete has been laid, it can be covered with a polythene sheet to prevent the concrete rapidly drying out.