Teagasc Issues Updated Report on Weather Impact on Farming

Issued 2 August 2002

Teagasc has issued an updated assessment on the impact of the weather on farming.

Carried out in recent days by Teagasc advisers nationwide, it shows that while considerable progress has been made in recent weeks in hay and silage making, there is still wide variation between the drier and wet land areas in winter feed supply, grass growth, animal performance and damage to soil.

The report says that while all first-cut silage has been made in dry land areas, the figure for the wetter farming areas varies from 40% to 80%. Progress with hay- making varies from as high as 90% of normal in dry land to up to 60% of normal in wetter areas. Some farmers are facing the prospect of a winter feed shortage but it is difficult at this stage to estimate the extent of the shortage nationally.

According to the report, improved weather during mid-July has helped grass growth leading to a reduction in the level of concentrate feed being fed to animals. However, concentrate feeding is still high in the worst affected areas and some farmers are still housing animals part-time because of poor ground conditions.

With the cereal harvest now underway, the report confirms earlier Teagasc assessments that yields of the major cereal crops are expected to be down by around one tonne per hectare. While the improved weather has alleviated some of the problems for vegetable growers, it came too late to have an impact on soft fruit, apple and nursery stock producers.

For the full report, click here