‘Ground is wet and the cows are in’

Karen McCabe, suckler farmer, Drumlegga, Cloone, Co Leitrim

Karen McCabe farms with her father Michael. \Philip Doyle

“We brought 11 cows and calves in last night. We knew the ground wasn’t going to stick it for much longer so we took the safest option. We have heavy fragmented land so we didn’t want to see the grass tramped.

“We have drumlin hills so there isn’t a lot of shelter for the cows during bad weather like this. They were moving across the fields looking for shelter in the ditches but were tracking the land at the same time.

“Grass growth is good at the minute but the land just isn’t fit to hold the cows. There is a forecast for another heavy shower on Wednesday so we will look about letting the cows back out then.

“We made bales two weeks ago fortunately while the weather broke for a couple of days. I noticed we had roughly 30% more bales than usual so it was a good crop.”

‘The cows are starting to track the land’

Brian Treanor, dairy farmer, Dundion, Truagh, Co Monaghan

\Philip Doyle

“The ground is starting to get dirty up here in north Monaghan. We’ve had enough rain now for a good while and a spell of dry weather is needed. The cows are starting to track the land but we still have them out day and night so it isn’t too bad yet.

“Our farm has heavy soils that would be subject to poaching. We have a good bit of grass at the minute but would like to see growth picking up soon. The cows are getting two kilos of meal in the parlour to keep up production.

“Luckily, we got the second cut finished a fortnight ago with a nice heavy crop which made for a good big pit. The shortage of rain earlier in the year left our first cut a bit light but all in all it hasn’t been a bad year here provided it picks up a bit from here.”

‘Change in the weather is needed or the cows will be in’

John Egerton, suckler and sheep farmer, Rosslea Co Fermanagh

John Egerton at his farm in Rosslea, Co Fermanagh. \Barry Cronin

“The ground is wet here and the cows are very unsettled. Paddocks which usually last three days are only lasting one day. Luckily we have plenty of grass at the minute but the rate we’re changing paddocks isn’t sustainable.

“The cows are tramping the ground and grass is becoming dirty very quick. We will have to see a change in the weather in the next two weeks or I’ll have no option but to bring the stock in.

“We had to call a halt halfway through the second cut. The ground became too wet and we couldn’t get the rest of it lifted. It will take at least three good days to dry it out and we’ll pick up where we left off then.”

Top tips

In the Irish Farmers Journal beef management notes, Kieran Mailey has advice for farmers rehousing stock after heavy rain over the weekend.

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