This week's front cover: harvesting winter barley in Co Cork

Edmond, Jack and Tom Leahy cutting a field of winter barley at Kilmagner, Co Cork. Edmund sowed the crop of Cassis on 24 September last year and he reckons it is being harvested about a week earlier than in most other years. Early signs point to a high KPH, with low moisture content. It was too early to give a yield indication. \ Donal O'Leary

Fitzgerald family farm in Co Waterford

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. 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, so they are bringing the grass to the cows. \ Donal O’Leary

Baling hay in Co Kilkenny

Contractor Liam Aylward using his new Batrake rake to bale for beef farmer Ian McDonald. Last year Ian made 250 bales of hay from this field in Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, but this year he estimates that he will only bale around 120. \ Philip Doyle

Gorse fire in Co Meath

Firefighters have battled since Friday, 29 June, to contain a bog fire in Frayne, Co Meath. On Monday, 2 July, the fire spread and threatened farms in the nearby area. Firefighters say it has been a community effort on-site, with Coillte and members from the locality helping to limit the damage. The firefighters pictured are from Oldcastle and Trim fire units. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

Silage-making in Co Kildare