Impact of the Weather on Farming - Report No. 2

Grassland

Grass growth rates have improved to 80-90% of normal in the dry land areas but are still at only 50% to 70% of normal in the heavier wetland areas. In general, grass is still scarce on many farms and grass re-growth is below average after grazing and silage/hay cutting. Grass growth and quantity are under most pressure in the heavier wetter soil areas where a lot of poaching damage occurred earlier and also on the more heavily stocked farms. However, conditions are now improving following the recent spell of improved weather.

The improved weather has allowed good progress in the spreading of nitrogen on grassland and the topping of stemmy pastures. There is a big increase in the amount of slurry spread on silage ground.

Grass quality from re-growths and utilisation of grazed grass is gradually improving. Grazing rotations are coming back closer to normal. Grassland has been damaged on many farms due to poaching during grazing and machinery damage during silage making. Some badly damaged land will require reseeding and other land may need tining to remedy the effects of soil compaction and puddling.

Silage

All first cut silage is made in dry land areas and in the range 40%-80% in the wetland areas with good progress being made. Silage yields from firstcut are generally higher due to the delayed cutting, except on farms where silage ground was grazed before closing. Yields range from 20 to 37 tonnes/hectare (8-15 tonnes/acre)

Silage quality is back 8-10 DMD units on the normal year, with the wetland areas worst affected. There are also worries about soil contamination and how well the silages will preserve.

The area and yield of second cut silage is expected to be substantially reduced. Growth of the maize crop has improved in the last two weeks but the expected yield and quality of winter feed from the crop is predicted to be well down on average.

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.

Teagasc is urging farmers to now estimate the expected shortfall in their winter feed supply. The feed deficit can be overcome by a combination of approaches, including getting extra nitrogen out to stimulate grass growth, making use of whole crop grains in tillage areas, sourcing cheaper supplements, purchase of hay/straw/silage and selling off surplus animals.

Overall, due to reduced silage production but more importantly a big drop in silage quality, farmers can expect to face higher feed bills for purchased feeds next winter and spring and this will reduce further profits already under pressure.

Hay

The situation regarding haymaking has improved considerably in the last two weeks. From 50% to 90% of the hay crop is made in the dry land areas and about 30% to 60% in the wetland areas, depending on location. The feed quality of the hay made is generally moderate to poor in digestibility terms.

Dairying

Milk yields are down, particularly in wetland areas where the drop is as high as 15%. Milk production would be lower but for supplementary feeding of dairy cows. The level of meal feeding has reduced in the last two weeks but is still in the range 1 to 6 kg/cow/day with an average level of about 2.0 to 3.0 kg/cow/day. Calves are also being fed about 1.0 to 1.2 kg meal/head/day. Supplementation is highest in the wetland areas, on the more intensively stocked farms and in high yielding herds. It should be possible to reduce supplementation levels further as grass quantity and quality increases.

Some dairy farmers in the worst affected areas are still housing cows part-time. There are some indications of fertility problems with up to 30% of the herd not holding. As a consequence, a wider calving spread can be expected in 2003.

Beef

Animal performance on beef farms has been down by up to 25% but is recovering to some extent in the past two weeks. Depending on the area, from 5% to 70% of cattle farmers are feeding meals. Finishing cattle are getting 1-6kg and calves and weanlings 1-2kg per day. Some farmers have experienced reduced prices for cattle which they were forced to sell before they had an adequate level of finish.

Part-time housing and feeding of suckler cows/cattle indoors is still taking place in the worst affected areas. This is exacerbating the winter feed problem on these farms. Some farmers are planning to wean and/or sell weanlings earlier this year.

Sheep

Lamb performance varies from close to normal to up to 20% below normal in worst affected areas. Lamb sales to date are 3-6 weeks later than normal and percent of lambs sold ranges from 50% to 90%. The number of farmers feeding meal to lambs is varying from 10% to 80% depending on the severity of the weather impact. There is a shortage of good quality aftergrass for lambs. Other problems mentioned include an increased incidence of lameness and foot problems and increased risk of fluke.

Winter Cereals

The winter barley harvest has commenced in most parts of the country and initial yield results are disappointing at 5.0 to 8.0 tonnes per hectare (2.0 to 3.2 tonnes/acre). Most crops are in the range 6.2 to 6.8 tonnes/hectare (2.5 to 2.75 tonnes/acre). Average yields are down by about 1.23 tonnes/hectare (0.5 tonnes/acre) or greater. Specific weights are low and screenings high in early crops. This yield drop is due to the high rainfall, low temperatures and exceptional disease pressure during the main growing season. Straw yield and quality are reported as good.

The wet weather disease, Septoria, is widespread at high levels on winter wheat particularly in southern areas. Winter wheat crops are growing well despite the high level of Septoria present. An economic response would not be expected from further fungicide applications at this stage, irrespective of disease pressure. Crops are likely to be ready for harvesting in about three to four weeks. Yields for winter wheat are predicted to be down by at least 1.23 tonnes/hectare (0.5 tonne/acre) but the drop could be up to 2.5 tonnes/hectare (1.0 tonne/acre) on some farms.

Winter oat crops are looking promising with harvesting expected to commence in the first week of August.

Spring Cereals

The wet weather disease, Rhynchosporium, is widespread at high levels on spring barley and to a lesser extent Net Blotch. Ramularia and "Sun Blotch" are also widespread. Spraying costs are up 20%-30% due to the use of higher rates and more expensive chemcials. It is now too late to get an economic response from further spraying.

Yield potential for spring barley looks moderate to good in crops not affected by soil compaction and water logging earlier on in the season, provided Ramularia does not impinge on yield. It is anticipated that average yield will be back on last year by up to 1.0 to 1.23 tonnes/hectare (0.4 to 0.5 tonnes/acre). A small area of crops may be a total failure due to water logging and soil compaction.

Most spring oat crops are looking well and generally have not suffered as much as spring barley. Yield potential looks promising. Mildew levels have increased and occasionally are at moderate to high levels. An economic response would not be expected from further fungicide application, irrespective of disease pressure.

Spring wheat crops are growing well. There are some reports of mildew but in general the levels of both Septoria and mildew are low.

Maize

Maize crops have improved dramatically in the last two weeks, from a poor start. Crops under plastic are still ahead of uncovered crops. Some crops are still a bit patchy and a small percentage is very poor. Overall, the prediction is for lower yields and poorer quality maize silage compared to previous years due to poorer cob development and lower starch levels.

Sugar Beet

Growth has improved a lot in sugar beet crops with many crops now only one to two weeks behind normal, except for the later sown crops which are further behind. If the weather stays right from now on, the crop has the capacity to recover much of its potential.

Potatoes

The first earlies (Homeguard) produced a moderate yield. Blackleg (stalk rot) is a major problem arising in the second-early crop (British Queens) leading to deterioration of the potatoes and reduction in saleable yield.

Progress in the main potato crop has improved but later sown crops are still backward. Blight pressure has increased due to the warm humid weather. Short spray intervals are essential in high-risk conditions. There is a risk of increased slug damage to maincrop potatoes, especially in heavy soils, from August to October.

Horticulture

• The improved weather has offered some relief in harvesting, sowing and controlling disease in vegetable crops. Brassica crops, such as broccoli and cauliflower, have already suffered considerable losses. Later sown crops will be later coming to market and yields will be down.
• The outdoor uncovered strawberry crop has suffered severe losses with yields down 50% to 75%. Yield losses are lower at 20%-30% for the protected strawberry crop grown in plastic tunnels.
• The apple crop has been severely affected with the lowest yields predicted for many years. Heavy frosts last spring and poor growing and pollinating conditions in May and June have resulted in poor fruit formation. Cooking apples are particularly affected and will be scarce next autumn. Eating apple varieties have also fared badly with much of the reduced crop blemished and unsaleable as growers could not spray against scab and mildew. While some apple growers escaped with modest damage, many may face losses up to 70% - 80% of production. Growers producing apples for the cider industry are not as badly affected but yields will also be down.
• Many nurseries reported a big drop in the sale of summer bedding and other plants normally sold in the May/June/July period and a lot of surplus unsold plants had to be discarded as the season had passed.