Teagasc Report on Impact of Weather Crisis
Issued 17 July, 2002
The unprecedented wet weather has led to increased costs, lower animal performance, poor winter feed supplies as well as increased diseases in cereal crops and reductions in output in vegetables, fruit and nursery stock, according to an assessment by Teagasc.
Carried out by Teagasc advisers, the assessment shows a big difference in impact between drier and wetter farming areas.
While grass growth in the drier areas has been up to 80% of normal it is back to 50% in wetland areas. Poor soil conditions have also had a big impact on grass utilisation especially in the wetter areas.
Damage to grazing land is particularly severe on heavier soils and on hilly and sloping land. However, it is difficult at this stage to quantify the longer term effects resulting from soil compaction, invasion of weeds and need for reseeding in the more severe cases.
The assessment shows that around 20% of farmers were forced to house animals either part-time or full-time during the past six weeks. A substantial carryover of silage and hay from last winter helped to avert a feed crisis on these farms.
Silage
Silage making was delayed by about three weeks on average leading to substantial penalties on quality. The Teagasc report estimates that the quality of silage made to date is in the range of 55-65 DMD, a reduction of up to 10 units on a normal year.
As of last weekend the report states that between 75% and 100% of first-cut silage had been made in drier areas but the figure was a low as 20%-40% in the more difficult areas. Only tiny quantities of hay have been made and quality is poor to moderate. The report says that a shortage of good quality hay may cause problems for horse feeding.
Some farmers are now facing the prospect of a winter feed shortage. Teagasc advises that plans should now be made to reduce the impact of a feed shortage through applying nitrogen to stimulate grass growth, making use of whole crop grains in tillage areas, sourcing cheaper supplements and selling off surplus animals.
Livestock
The report states that dairy farmers are feeding an average of 3kg of meal per cow per day. In wetland areas and on intensively stocked farms dairy cows are being fed up to 8kgs of meal per day. This is helping to avert substantial reductions in milk yield.
Finishing cattle are receiving about 3kgs of meal per day and calves are being fed around 1kg per day in order to compensate for poor performance from grass.
The pattern of lamb sales varies from around 80% of normal year levels in drier areas to as low as 15% - 30% in the worst affected areas. Because of poor performance from grass, the level of meal feeding to lambs has increased.
Tillage
The report states that all cereal crops have been subjected to extremely high disease pressures leading to an increase of up to 30% in spraying costs. While winter cereal crops are growing satisfactorily, slower grain fill is likely to lead to some drop in yield.
The biggest impact is being felt by spring barley growers with many farmers reporting poor growth. While it is too early to predict final yields, losses will be higher than for winter crops.
Seventy per cent of the maize acreage which was not grown under plastic is under severe pressure. Unless there is an immediate improvement in the weather, yield and quality will be severely affected.
Yields of the potato variety, British Queens, are affected by an epidemic of the disease, Blackleg. While sugar beet is up to three weeks behind normal, it has the capacity to recover given the right weather from now on.
Horticulture
The report states that vegetable growers have been particularly badly affected with delayed sowing, poor growth and difficult harvesting conditions. A number of growers of crops, such as brocolli and cauliflower, have suffered total crop losses with little opportunity to replant.
The outdoor strawberry crops have suffered yield losses of up to 50% or more while many nurseries are reporting a big drop in sales leading to dumping of surplus plants.
Teagasc Advice
The Teagasc intensive advisory campaign on coping with the weather is continuing with special events, advisory clinics and personalised advice to farmers. Teagasc has again urged farmers to contact their local Teagasc adviser for expert advice in dealing with the current difficulties and knock-on effects.
For the full report, click here
