Met Eireann says there is a high probability of storm Lorenzo tracking over Ireland on Thursday afternoon and early on Friday.
The tropical storm is expected to bring high seas, severe winds and heavy rain, all of which are likely to have an impact on farmers.
Risk of damage
Depending on the severity of the winds, there is a risk of damage, particularly as trees are still in their full foliage, which creates more of a drag effect in storms.
An overturned silo on the Ploughing site in 2018.
Keep doors of buildings closed and secure as many loose items around the farm as possible. Move animals to higher ground where there is a risk of flooding.
Have standby generators at the ready and test them
Farmers, particularly those in dairying, should be prepared for power outages. Have standby generators at the ready and test them to make sure that they are working correctly.
It regularly happens that generator parts get damaged from lack of use, so test the generator out to make sure that it is operating correctly. If there are any issues, get them fixed by an electrician on Wednesday.
Farmers who do not have a generator should consider hiring one to have on standby or arranging for a loan of one if possible.
Capacity
It remains to be seen where the storm will hit, if indeed it will hit at all, but the south and west of the country is expected to be hardest hit.
Farmers in isolated and high-risk areas should arrange for their milk to be collected on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, to increase the storage capacity of the bulk tank in case access is cut off.
Maize which was damaged by high winds during Storm Ali in 2018.
Similarly, meal and other essential supplies should be delivered before the storm, as access may be cut off on Friday.
Drinking water should be stored before the storm hits, as power failure will knock out pumps in wells.
The most important thing is to keep safe during the storm, stay indoors out of harm’s way.
Be vigilant for falling trees, boughs or roofs after the storm. Often, the storm weakens structures, which don’t actually fall until a later date.
Read more
In pictures: meal bin options this winter
Call for Irish sexed semen laboratory
Met Eireann says there is a high probability of storm Lorenzo tracking over Ireland on Thursday afternoon and early on Friday.
The tropical storm is expected to bring high seas, severe winds and heavy rain, all of which are likely to have an impact on farmers.
Risk of damage
Depending on the severity of the winds, there is a risk of damage, particularly as trees are still in their full foliage, which creates more of a drag effect in storms.
An overturned silo on the Ploughing site in 2018.
Keep doors of buildings closed and secure as many loose items around the farm as possible. Move animals to higher ground where there is a risk of flooding.
Have standby generators at the ready and test them
Farmers, particularly those in dairying, should be prepared for power outages. Have standby generators at the ready and test them to make sure that they are working correctly.
It regularly happens that generator parts get damaged from lack of use, so test the generator out to make sure that it is operating correctly. If there are any issues, get them fixed by an electrician on Wednesday.
Farmers who do not have a generator should consider hiring one to have on standby or arranging for a loan of one if possible.
Capacity
It remains to be seen where the storm will hit, if indeed it will hit at all, but the south and west of the country is expected to be hardest hit.
Farmers in isolated and high-risk areas should arrange for their milk to be collected on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, to increase the storage capacity of the bulk tank in case access is cut off.
Maize which was damaged by high winds during Storm Ali in 2018.
Similarly, meal and other essential supplies should be delivered before the storm, as access may be cut off on Friday.
Drinking water should be stored before the storm hits, as power failure will knock out pumps in wells.
The most important thing is to keep safe during the storm, stay indoors out of harm’s way.
Be vigilant for falling trees, boughs or roofs after the storm. Often, the storm weakens structures, which don’t actually fall until a later date.
Read more
In pictures: meal bin options this winter
Call for Irish sexed semen laboratory
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: