Contractors have described 2026 as an uneven year, with a strong start to the silage season followed by a sharp slowdown as dry conditions took hold during July and August.

South Tipperary contractor Richard Murphy said the silage season had started as a “bumper year”, with plenty of bales and hay made before conditions changed in July.

“There was only 8mm of rain in July in south Tipperary,” he said.

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As a result, fertiliser spreading was also reduced, with Murphy estimating that some areas missed one full round of fertiliser and others potentially two.

“For us personally, it’s been an average year,” he said, adding that business costs remain a significant concern. Bills are way higher,” he said, as fuel costs have also increased.

Despite this, Murphy said most farmers in his area remain positive, although fodder supplies vary from farm to farm.

“Some farmers have enough but some are worried,” he said, with a number hoping to make additional bales in October.

“We sold no fertiliser”

In Wexford, agricultural merchant and contractor Peter Bolger said fertiliser sales stalled throughout July and August.

“It was just so dry, we sold no fertiliser,” he said.

Fertiliser activity has since picked up in September, with farmers taking advantage of improved grass growth and some aiming to build additional fodder reserves.

Bolger estimated that a number of farmers in the area could have around 40% less fodder this year and said work is ongoing with farmers to identify deficits and balance winter diets where necessary.

Meanwhile, Wexford farmer and contractor Mervin Hawkins said silage contracting work was also limited during the summer.

“The [McHale] Fusion hasn’t been out, it’s in the back of the shed,” he said. However, he said some farmers are now considering third cuts. Hawkins warned that rising fuel prices could force contractors to increase their charges to a level that some farmers may struggle to afford.

“If it keeps going up, no one will be able to pay for the work that contractors are doing, and we can’t do it unless we can pay for our diesel. Any garage you go to, it’s all up,” he said.

With autumn growth improving, contractors are now watching the weather closely in the hope that late silage cuts and renewed fertiliser activity can provide a stronger finish to the year.