The early part of last week allowed for some fieldwork in drier parts of the country, as ploughing was being carried out in parts of Co. Carlow and the south-east last week. However, soil moisture levels remain high.
Some necessary jobs like pulling beet and zero-grazing forage crops were also underway, while the odd sprayer was spotted on its travels.
This weekend’s rainfall has now put an end to any chance of fieldwork.
While jobs like zero-grazing and pulling beet are essential to keep animals fed, it is important to target drier fields when it is difficult to travel.
In the case of beet, if the opportunity presents itself to make your way to the field, pull enough to supply a few weeks – if storage allows.
Soil moisture deficits
Soil moisture deficits on well-drained soils were at 0 across the country as of Saturday, December 15. On the other end of the spectrum, SMDs on moderately and poorly-drained soils were at saturation point (-10) countrywide.
Source: Met Eireann
SMD figures early last week
Heavy rainfall across the country pushed moderately drained soils to saturation point over the weekend.
Moderately-drained soils were above field capacity on Tuesday. Soils in the midlands and much of east of the country had SMD readings of between -2 and -4.
On the west coast, soils were reading at -6, apart from Malin Head, where the reading was 0. Soils in south Wexford had reached saturation point on Tuesday (December 11), with a, SMD reading of -10.
Source: Met Eireann