This article is from page 58 of the 2008-08-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 58 JPG
HARVEST season is officially on hold as a result of the poor weather. That was the message coming from Teagasc last week who urged Clare farmers to hold off on the harvest un- til the condition improve.
The farming advisory body has urged farmers to give priority to harvesting the most valuable crops first like malting barley, milling wheat and seed crops. They also sug- gest that farmers should have drying equipment ready to go when condi- tions are suitable for cutting and to take every opportunity to cut.
‘Farmers need to prepare machin- ery now for travelling under poorer
ground conditions, so that the har- vesting opportunities can be availed of when they arise,’ said a Teagasc spokesperson.
‘Machinery such as combines, si- lage harvesters, tractors, trailers, and balers can all operate more effec- tively under poorer soil conditions by making modifications to the tyres on these vehicles. Ground pressure can be reduced by fitting larger tyres, working at lower tyre pressures or possibly fitting dual wheels.
“On some livestock farms, dairy cows and beef cattle have been re- housed due to flooding of grassland and to avoid further poaching of the land and subsequent deterioration of grass utilisation.”
On dairy farms Teagasc are recom- mending that a flexible approach to grazing during this period be adopt- ed. Preferably graze paddocks with lower covers, provide larger grazing areas to livestock, offer fresh grass after each milking and use back fences to protect grazed areas.
Recent Teagasc research at Moore- park has shown that on/off grazing (allowing cow’s access to grass for a limited time) is an approach that can be used to maintain cows at grass during periods of wet weather similar to what we are now experi- encing.
To sustain high levels of perform- ance from grass, cows should be given 3-4 hours access to grass after
each milking. There is no require- ment to supplement these cows with additional feed while they are in- doors if farm covers are on, or above target. On drystock farms, Teagasc are recommending that producers move livestock to higher ground and drier fields to reduce poaching and to consider re-housing livestock, es- pecially bulls, if grazing conditions deteriorate further. The wet summer may also lead to an increased risk of liver fluke in sheep.
With the increased level of building activity on farms this year, Teagasc are advising farmers to take steps to protect new and existing storage tanks from damage caused by rising water levels.