John Fitzgerald and his son Shane milk 180 cows in partnership at Kilmagemogue, Portlaw, Co Waterford. They have had no rain in over a month and grass growth has dropped to below 20kg/day. So in order to fill the daily requirement of over 18kg/head of dry matter intake they decided to start using the 60ac of ground that was closed off for second-cut silage. The ground is too far away to graze which meant bringing the grass to the cows. \ Donal O' Leary
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Weather forecast
Friday is forecast to be a warm and sunny day, as early cloud gradually breaks up through the morning. Highest temperatures will vary between 22 to 25°C with humidity levels rising, Met Éireann has said.
A status yellow advisory warning remains in place until next week for drought conditions.
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In the news
Farmers in several counties have been contacted by environment officers enforcing spraying and spreading buffer zones around drinking water extraction points.
Farmers face a 17% fall in the value of their EU direct payments over the period of the next CAP, equivalent to a €3,000 cut to the average farm income, IFA analysis shows.
The Offaly Fire and Rescue Service are very busy this week, tackling a large blaze on the Slieve Blooms.
Water and rising feed costs are becoming a concern for many farmers as the drought persists.
Coming up this Friday
Young farmers drive farm investment charge.
The weather for the weekend ahead.
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Weather forecast
Friday is forecast to be a warm and sunny day, as early cloud gradually breaks up through the morning. Highest temperatures will vary between 22 to 25°C with humidity levels rising, Met Éireann has said.
A status yellow advisory warning remains in place until next week for drought conditions.
In the news
Farmers in several counties have been contacted by environment officers enforcing spraying and spreading buffer zones around drinking water extraction points.
Farmers face a 17% fall in the value of their EU direct payments over the period of the next CAP, equivalent to a €3,000 cut to the average farm income, IFA analysis shows.
The Offaly Fire and Rescue Service are very busy this week, tackling a large blaze on the Slieve Blooms.
Water and rising feed costs are becoming a concern for many farmers as the drought persists.
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