This week's front cover: harvesting winter barley in Co Cork
Edmond, Jack and Tom Leahy cutting a field of winter barley at Kilmagner, Co Cork. Edmund sowed the crop of Cassis on 24 September last year and he reckons it is being harvested about a week earlier than in most other years. Early signs point to a high KPH, with low moisture content. It was too early to give a yield indication. \ Donal O'Leary
Fitzgerald family farm in Co Waterford
John Fitzgerald and his son, Shane, milk 180 cows in partnership at Kilmagemogue, Portlaw, Co Waterford. They have had no rain in over a month and grass growth has dropped to below 20kg/day. They decided to start using the 60ac of ground that was closed off for second-cut silage. The ground is too far away to graze, so they are bringing the grass to the cows. \ Donal O’Leary
Baling hay in Co Kilkenny
Contractor Liam Aylward using his new Batrake rake to bale for beef farmer Ian McDonald. Last year Ian made 250 bales of hay from this field in Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, but this year he estimates that he will only bale around 120. \ Philip Doyle
Gorse fire in Co Meath
Firefighters have battled since Friday, 29 June, to contain a bog fire in Frayne, Co Meath. On Monday, 2 July, the fire spread and threatened farms in the nearby area. Firefighters say it has been a community effort on-site, with Coillte and members from the locality helping to limit the damage. The firefighters pictured are from Oldcastle and Trim fire units. \ Claire-Jeanne Nash
Silage-making in Co Kildare
Contractor Roger Perry and his team drawing silage in Ardellis, Athy, Co Kildare. \ Philip Doyle
Loughrea Mart
Eddie Joyce from Limerick at the sheep sale at Loughrea Mart.\ Hany Marzouk
Gerry Burke from Carra at the sheep sale at Loughrea Mart.\ Hany Marzouk
John Cronin from Loughrea at the sheep sale at Loughrea Mart.\ Hany Marzouk
Pat Duffy from Killimore and Gerry Earls from Bulaun at the sheep sale at Loughrea Mart.\ Hany Marzouk
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This week in photos: BEEF 2018 and wholecrop harvest
This week in photos: Athenry and Ballyjamesduff Marts
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