Changeable weather has disrupted silage plans in many counties, while grazing is also under pressure in some areas. Luke McDermott spoke to farmers, contractors and advisers to assess the challenge.

Co Wicklow

Contractor Nigel Law said the majority of first-cut pit silage has been made, particularly in lowland areas. However, most first-cut baled silage has yet to be made: “The threat of recent rain over the last two weeks has affected us the most, as farmers were being hesitant in the changeable weather.”

Co Longford

Heavy rain, particularly between Tuesday and Thursday, left silage-making conditions in Longford very tricky. “There has been a constant stop-start to silage this year, with only about 25% of first-cut being made so far,” said Sean Conefrey.

Co Donegal

First-cut silage in Co Donegal is much later than last year, according to Michael Chance. Weather has been particularly poor, and with crops continuing to seed and overgrow, silage quality is beginning to decline. Contractors are under increased pressure. “Almost 50% of the first-cut grass is yet to go in and men who cut their grass early in May are the real winners now,” said Michael Chance.

Co Down

Grazing conditions have been a challenge for Co Down beef and sheep farmer John Milligan: “I have not been able to graze out my paddocks as tightly as I would have liked, due to the recent heavy rain. As a result, cows are being moved on to fresh grass more frequently than normal.”

A lot of farmers are waiting for the next good spell, but Milligan was able to get his completed before the unsettled weather.

Co Antrim

Co Antrim beef and sheep farmer Tom Moorhead said challenging weather conditions have left contractors struggling for time. “My silage is ready this week but with poor weather and contractors now facing a backlog of customers, it’s likely that I will be pushed back until next week,” he said.

Co Leitrim

Leitrim Teagasc adviser Tom Coll said a lot of farmers were ready to cut for silage. Many cut silage on Tuesday, in the hope that it could be baled up on Wednesday before the weather broke again. Less than 40% of first-cut silage is made at this point and with the quality starting to decline, losing on average six to seven units of dry matter digestibility a day [from 1 June].

Heavy rain in parts has left ground conditions borderline, with contractors beginning to struggle.

“People are beginning to put cows in, heavy rain has resulted in farmers not being able to fully maximise grass potential,” said Coll.

Mayo

“We did our first cut on 23 May, and we were lucky to have it just finished when the weather broke,” said south Mayo farmer Oisin Gill.

“Pits around here were done about 10 to 14 days ago and it’s been broken since but there was a lot grass knocked around here on Tuesday for bales.”

Limerick

“We got our first cut done on 15 May before the weather broke so we’re in a good position now,” said Dermot O’Connor from Shanagolden, Co Limerick.

“Two weeks ago it was dry enough, even a bit droughty, but now we’re trying to keep control of grass to stop it getting stemmy. In an ideal world, we’ll be going for a second cut in early August.”