Weather woes affecting Limerick farmers

WEATHER woes are affecting farmers in their hip pockets and more importantly their heads.

A cursory glance on social media reveals what some are feeling due to incessant rain.

“For a whole variety of reasons… weather being one of the big ones, I can honestly say the last year has been the most mentally taxing and at times disheartening year in my farming career,” said one.

Another wrote: “I think even in a perfect spring what we expect from ourselves both mentally and physically really is excessive. Add in a winter like this, that started in September and with slurry tanks full and silage running out, is it any wonder we’re stressed.”

IFA president Francie Gorman said there is a deepening crisis on farms due to the ongoing wet weather. He said weather conditions are placing all farmers under serious pressure and adding to stress levels for families.

“Farmers are under huge pressure at present. It is hugely difficult to get into our fields to plant crops or graze our animals. This is putting extra costs into the system and leading to a much heavier workload. We need Government, input suppliers, processors and banks to do all they can to support farmers in the coming days and weeks,” said Mr Gorman.

With cattle housed since September/October, ICMSA has called on the Minister for Agriculture to immediately introduce a fodder support scheme for all farmers to address what has been an exceptionally long and wet winter.

ICMSA president Denis Drennan said it has placed an enormous mental strain on farmers from a financial and personal perspective and farmers were doing their utmost to manage their way through an extremely difficult spring.

Regulators need to recognise this, he said, and acknowledge the real and difficult challenges currently facing farmers and act accordingly.

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Mr Drennan also called for inspections to be “put aside” for now in recognition of the exceptional difficulty weather and ground conditions with which farmers are dealing.

“Cashflow at farm level is extremely tight and jobs that would normally be complete at this stage of the year have not even commenced across all farm sectors.

"Farmers are weeks behind in their work schedules and we think that a clear priority at this stage must be to provide guidance and assistance to farmers until animals get to grass and then support them in rebuilding fodder stock for the 24/25 winter,” he said.