Farmers on dry land and those with spring crops in the ground will welcome the rain forecast for the weekend and early next week, while those on wetter soils will be less happy.

After several dry weeks, up to an inch of rain is forecast in the west of Ireland on Monday, while around half an inch is forecast for the northwest and northeast.

Less rain is predicted for the east and southeast, where it is most needed.

Hay has even been made in some counties, with farmers in Cork, Kerry, Meath and Westmeath baling in recent days.

Southeast

Spring cereals in the southeast are in need of rain, while some dairy farmers are buffer-feeding silage morning and evening.

In some areas, fertiliser spread more than a month ago is still sitting on the ground, while slurry has dried on to silage without being washed into the ground.

The warmer days and nights have seen heavy dews, which have helped growth and nutrient uptake in crops and grass.

Grass growth

In the west and northwest, the recent dry weather and high temperatures have been a boon for farmers, who have revelled in the strong grass growth conditions.

The rain forecast will put the brakes on grass growth in those areas, while damage to soil will be a concern to farmers where an inch or more of rain is expected next week.

Nationally, grass growth this week is averaging 62km DM/ha, which is around two-thirds of the 10-year average.

Met Éireann reported that April was the driest month in between nine and 44 years at its weather stations.

Average rainfall

The percentage of normal monthly rainfall values ranged from 16% (monthly rainfall total of 9.2mm) at Roche’s Point, Co Cork, to 64% (monthly rainfall total of 41.1mm) at Malin Head, Co Donegal.

Roche’s Point and Mullingar, Co Westmeath, reported dry spells of 21 and 15 days respectively. Mullingar recorded its driest April since the station opened in 1950.