Bishop of Ferns Dr Denis Brennan has asked that prayers for fine weather be offered at all Masses in his diocese this month because of the difficulties being faced by many involved in agriculture.
Bishop Brennan said the current spell of very bad weather is causing added pain and anxiety to people already under pressure and it constitutes a real threat to the livelihoods and well-being of many in rural areas.
Farmers are continuing to have problems in harvesting their crops because of the bad weather.
Meanwhile, the Irish Farmers' Association has accused grain merchants Greencore Malt of attempting to pay farmers less than what it costs to produce crops this year.
The Chairman of the IFA Grain Committee, Colum McDonnell, said Greencore Malt's offer of €120 a tonne for barley is opportunistic and below the cost of production for growers.
Mr McDonnell said that as one of the largest maltsters in the world market, Greencore Malt is abusing its dominant position.
He said farmers have seen dramatic changes in their contract at the eleventh hour, which included a 20% cut in tonnage and the introduction of new standards.
The company has made healthy profits from their malting business in recent years, he said, and now is attempting to force through a price that is significantly below the cost of production.
Mr McDonnell said it threatens the future of Irish malt and malting barley production, as prices are €20 to €30 a tonne below what it costs to grow and harvest the crop.
New parasite treatment for cattle
Separately, a Co Down-based pharmaceutical company, Norbrook Laboratories, has developed a new veterinary product, which it claims will revolutionise the treatment of parasitic disease in cattle reared for meat production.
Norbrook chairman Edward Haughey said the new pour-on product that treats fluke, worms and external parasites is a 'milestone', not only for the company but also for farmers.
A team of 80 scientists at the Newry-based laboratories has spent six years and £3.5m developing this new product.
Up to now the only treatment available was by injection or oral drench but Norbrook's new drug can simply be poured onto the back of the animal.
The company estimates the world market for this kind of medicine is worth $1bn.
It already has licences to market the product in Ireland and the UK and has plans to roll it out in other countries.
Norbrook, which this year saw its business grow by 12%, says the development of this product demonstrates the importance of investing in research.
