Weather forecast

The weather forecast, according to Met Éireann, is positive for Friday. Once the frost and fog patches clear soon after dawn, it will be dry for the day with a mixture of cloud and sunny spells. Highest afternoon temperatures of 11°C to 14°C, mildest in the west. Winds will be mostly light, north to northeast. Tonight will continue dry with clear spells and little or no wind but patches of frost and fog will form again under clear skies as temperatures drop to between 1°C and 5°C.

The outlook for the weekend is also good. Saturday and Sunday are also forecast to be dry with no more than light breezes. Saturday, however, will be cloudy but there will be only slight cloud conditions on Sunday. Top temperatures of 11°C to 14°C.

Winter planting is progressing at full pace all over the country and some growers are already finished. Our crop specialist Andy Doyle writes that cool conditions may help reduce pressure from aphids this autumn, especially with early established crops, but you should not take chances with control.

In dairy, Aidan Brennan writes that the good weather provides an opportunity to get good cleanouts and set up the farm for quality grass next spring.

Beef specialist Nathan Tuffy writes that with most sheds still empty due to good weather, now is the time to test ventilation in the house. Respiratory illness is worsened where ventilation is poor and this can increase the risk of pneumonia or IBR outbreaks.

And sheep specialist Darren Carty writes that in order to provide a grass supply for early lambing swards require a rest period of 100 to 120 days on average.

In the news

  • Figures reported by the European Commission for the past week show that Ireland has stopped using intervention and private storage for dairy products. Ireland did not offer avail of either scheme last week, for the first time in several months.
  • Kerry has acquired three businesses in the US for $735m (€642m), which will significantly strengthen its taste and savoury flavours businesses.

  • Irish MEP Seán Kelly has said if the USA and Europe cannot agree on a common set of standards for hormone-treated beef under the TTIP negotiations it could be left off the negotiating table alltogether.

  • Speaking at the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists World Congress, New Zealand's Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said collaboration with Europe is the way forward.

  • Following the decision not to organise the next Web Summit in Ireland, event organiser Paddy Cosgrave has published his correspondence with the Department of the Taoiseach online, including references to the Department of Agriculture.

    • Coming up on the app and on farmersjournal.ie:

  • We'll be reporting from the Teagasc Soil Fertility Conference in Clonmel
  • We'll be waiting for the Department of Agriculture to respond to criticism of its inaction as mentioned in the published correspondence between the Web Summit organisers and the Department of the Taoiseach.

  • We'll also be reporting on the EU Commission's Knowledge for Young Farmers Conference.

    • What’s on today:

  • BDGP information meeting. 8pm. Brandon House Hotel, New Ross. Q&A from 5pm - farmers to bring their ICBF report to discuss.
  • Teagasc Soil Fertility Conference, 9am to 4.30pm, Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

    • To keep up to date with farming news all day, every day, download the Irish Farmers Journal app today.