Farmers in Donegal, Tyrone and Derry are still picking up the pieces after flash flooding and unprecedented rain lashed the northwest last week. Listen to an interview with flooded suckler farmer Micheal Gubbins in Buncrana, Co Donegal in our podcast below:
Farmers in Donegal, Tyrone and Derry are still picking up the pieces after flash flooding and unprecedented rain lashed the northwest last week.
Listen to an interview with flooded suckler farmer Micheal Gubbins in Buncrana, Co Donegal in our podcast below:
Large numbers of livestock were lost in the worst affected areas, including eight pedigree Holstein bull calves, sheep and pigs. Two poultry units in Tyrone lost 55,000 birds.
Farm roadways have been seriously damaged, slurry tanks flooded and the cost of the damage has been estimated to run into millions across the northwest.
Farmers also reported bales being washed down rivers, fencing swept away, hedges gone and damaged bridges cutting off farms. Where rivers burst their banks, farms have been left with huge deposits of silt, stones and mud and crops are unsalvageable.
And in neighbouring areas not affected by severe flooding, heavy rain saturated soils, forcing farmers to house their animals.
Damage reported to the IFA
Some of the worst affected farms in Co Donegal:
160 bales and all second-cut silage washed down the Crana River in Cockhill Road, Buncrana.20 acres of land covered by a landslide at Cruckaheeney.Transport box washed down the river and a tractor and mower washed down the street in Ture, Muff.Potatoes flooded, 350 piglets drowned and six acres of reseeded land washed down river in Cloon, Carrigans. Nine ewes and seven lambs lost, tractor engine destroyed and fencing and gates gone in Connoughkinnego, Ballymagan. 10ac of silage, mowed but not lifted, was washed away in Tamnacrum, Castlefin.Three rivers behind house converged to destroy a lane, preventing access for milk lorry at Gortcomican, Burnfoot. 1,000m of fencing gone and lumps taken out of field in Gortnaskeagh, Burnfoot. 60ac of potatoes and
barley under water at Porthall, Mongavlin, St Johnston. Two bridges swept away in Carnamoyle, Muff, taking away the farm’s access. The milk lorry’s only route to the farm is via a rough quarry at the rear of the farm. Access road and fencing washed away on Gavin and Jacinta McCarron’s farm in Owenbuoy, Drumfries, Clonmany. Read more
NI seeks 70% BPS advance to alleviate flood impact
Wanted: transport for silage bales for victims of flooding
Editorial: flooding – support for farmers
Full coverage: flooding
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