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Even before the deluge that hit the northwest on Tuesday, weather was the dominant issue for harvest 2017.
While some cutting took place in pockets around the country, extensive progress was made only in the east coast counties – Meath, Louth and Kildare.
There too, the rains of Sunday night brought combines to a standstill.
Little rain is predicted across most of the tillage area in the days ahead, so ground will have an opportunity to soak.
The problem is that prevailing humid conditions offer little drying. A good breezy day is needed.
The fear is that the quality of crops will be hit – wheat is sprouting across the country, and conditions mean there is a danger of fusarium in barley.
The IFA’s Liam Dunne said crop losses are “inevitable”, with some crops flattened, and heads dropping off others. Straw has been on the ground for two weeks in some areas, and prices are still hardening.
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Straw not main focus for Bord na Móna
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