An unusually dry winter has seen record breaking crop production for farmers.
According to Teagasc, the drought in many areas has led to record growth and has allowed many farms to sow winter crops unusually early.
In Cahirciveen County Kerry, it has been the driest winter since records began over a hundred years ago. According to the Met Office, Dublin, Kilkenny and Rosslare experienced their driest winter in 28 years.
What might have been expected to spell disaster for Irish farmers has meant quite the opposite.
Michael Miley of Teagasc says it has been a remarkable year for farming with tillage crops doing particularly well. The weather has also been good for animals with grass growing at a much faster rate. Michael Miley says that if the drought continues for a long period, this could create problems for farmers.
We estimate that in the coastal areas, there has been a forty per cent higher growth rate in grass.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 March 1992. The reporter is Peter Cluskey.
