Ozzy Scott
Well-Known Member
Soils in this area aren't overly suited to spring cropping of cereals, not due to bad farming practices but their heavy nature. We grow fantastic crops of winter wheat 9 years out of ten due to the heavier nature of the soil. Last back end due to terrible weather very little wheat was planted due to none of the reasons on your so called pretty endless list above other than hugely excessive rainfall.
These farmers were left with very few options this spring only beans, spring wheat or spring barley and because of getting 10mm of rain and drying east winds in the past 9 weeks the spring barley in particular is struggling big time.
As cork said above a bit of sensitivity towards lads whose crops are struggling wouldn't go amiss.
My own are acceptable, il not lose sleep over them as I've other income streams but for lads solely depending on them it's tough.
It doesn't seem that long ago that ye dairy boys down south were pleading with the government for grant aided fodder support schemes.
Short memories it seems
What's your general location @Bcl as from looking at weather data Dublin airport is driest over the last 9 weeks in all of ireland with 50mm of rain? You must have me mixed up with someone else as im not dairy, and I dont entertain any support schemes for extraordinary events, as I believe you have to roll with the punches and no point crying wolf at any hiccup