Teagasc report on farming conditions

Updated: 13:18, Wednesday, 4 September 2002

The farm advisory agency, Teagasc, has said that conditions on many farms have improved because of the good weather in August.

But the agency warned that a large number of farms, particularly on the western side of the country, would have serious problems because of the poor quality of feed crops for animals.

The heavy rainfall and lack of sunshine during June and July created huge problems for farmers all over the country. For many producers it was the worst summer for many years.

Teagasc experts have been monitoring conditions throughout the season and this afternoon the agency issued a report on the impact of the bad weather.

They say that the better weather in August has resulted in very good grass growth and a big improvement in the amount and quality of winter feed being saved.

The agency said that conditions for vegetable growers had also improved but that it was too late for fruit, apple and nursery stock producers.

Potato crops have improved substantially and sugar beet could be close to normal.

But the big problem this winter will be in the quality of the crops for winter feed for animals. This will be worse in the wet heavy land areas - particularly in the west.

Teagasc will be running special advisory sessions for farmers all over the country in the coming months.

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