Front page photo: Michael Quigley in Co Tipperary

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Michael Quigley farms at Ballyanny, Nenagh, Co Tipperary. As the drought continues to cause problems on the farm, Michael is feeding out silage to the cows. Grass growth is still only 25kg per day and it fell to as low as 7kg at one stage. Michael is feeding his 180 cows 5kg of dairy nuts, 5kg of palm kernel expeller (PKE), 5kg of silage and 3kg of grazed grass and in the past six weeks he has used 20% of his winter forage, he is now back to 50% remaining. It is costing Michael €2500 in additional feed costs per week compared to previous years but at least production is holding up well at 1.8kg of milk solids and cows are in good condition. \ Donal O'Leary

Harvesting in Co Wexford

The O'Toole family farm at Ballycarney, Co Wexford: Louis O'Toole is cutting Irina spring barley, while his grand-nephew Patrick makes bales. The barley yielded about 2.5t/ac at 14% moisture, with six bales/ac of straw. The family are also beginning to plant Phacelia seed, which will be used as a catch crop, in conjunction with oats. \ Patrick Browne

Tommy Coneys in Co Galway

Tommy Coneys farms at Ballinlame, Ballyconelleey, Co Galway. Tommy keeps mule ewes and Suffolk cross ewes, along with a Texel ram. These lambs will soon be sent to the factory, having reached a live-weight of 45kg. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

My Farming Week in Co Tipperary

Michael Tobin farms in partnership with his father at New Inn, Co Tipperary. They milk 120 Holstein Friesian cows and are now entering their seventh week of feeding silage. Scanning will soon begin and Michael is hopeful of a good pregnancy rate. \ Donal O'Leary

Moving cattle in Co Galway

Husband and wife team Feichin and Kerry King moving their Charlaois cattle and calves to a fresh grazing field in Ballyconneely, Co Galway. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash

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