Heavier cattle have been housed on many farms across western counties this week after torrential rain on Monday.

Up to 40mm of rain was recorded across Connacht and in the southwest, with further heavy rain forecast.

Stock that have gone indoors include dairy cows and suckler cows with calves. Even in areas of high annual rainfall, it is a relatively early start to housing. Lighter stock on most farms remain outside.

All farms have large supplies of grass on hand.

Dairy farmers are hopeful of getting cows back out to utilise that grass if the weather improves next week.

On a positive note, farms have large supplies of winter fodder saved.

Inspections

IFA environment chair Thomas Cooney has called on local authorities and the Department of Agriculture to show an understanding of the recent wet weather as the open period for the spreading of organic manures comes to an end.

Cooney told the Irish Farmers Journal: “Grass is the cheapest form of feed for livestock and many farmers have tried to manage their costs in this very difficult year by grazing out fields and paddocks.”

“With weather now broken, farmers should not be penalised for doing the right thing by not spreading slurry in recent weeks. All inspectors and regulators must work with farmers in the coming period of time to ensure a pragmatic approach is taken, which does not add hardship on farms or impact on the local environment.”

Field work on tillage farms is at a standstill and little planting has taken place. Maize crops that were ripe have been harvested in advance of storm Lorenzo. Maize crops were flattened by stormy weather both last year and in 2017.