Farmers are warning that worsening drought conditions are putting increasing pressure on livestock and grass growth as dry weather persists across parts of the country.

According to Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) president, Denis Drennan, farmers simply "need rain".

In the south-east of the country, Drennan said it is possible that a soil moisture deficit of up to 100mm is being experienced.

Drought

"We're not getting any rain this week that some are getting in other parts of the country.

"Growth rates are probably gone to zero, there's nothing growing," Drennan said.

With a stall in grass growth stalled, many farmers are having to choose an alternative, with feeding silage the most common form of supplement, and most readily available to farmers.

"The chances of getting that in July or August are pretty slim.

"If we get 20mm it will probably start grass growing for a few days but not long term," the ICMSA president added.

Fear

Drennan said the "biggest fear" every farmer has is going out to fields and seeing water troughs empty.

He said animals are drinking huge amounts of water to cool down at the moment.

"I think everybody needs to be cognisant that there is a housepipe ban in place and it needs to be strictly adhered to, to provide water for those that most need it," he said, highlighting animal welfare concerns and embryo loss as potential risks.

The ICMSA president also highlighted issues for farms when overnight water restrictions occur.

Drennan addressed the financial impact of feeding silage at this stage, and said "we could be looking at a fodder shortage at the backend of this year in this part of the world".

He added that dairy farmers are already under "serious pressure" with the costs of producing milk at the moment.

Outages

Fine Gael Councillor Robert Nash in Louth said the areas of Hackballscross and Courtbane have experienced repeated water outages since June while heatwaves have been occurring.

He said that although Uisce Éireann puts alternative water supplies in place, it is of little benefit for farmers.

"I had one farmer on and he had 200 cattle and he had no water for them," Councillor Nash said.

He said the farmer does not have a well as he has access to a main supply, but with outages it has been an unreliable source, Councillor Nash said.

"There's a serious risk for livestock," he added.

"It's also affecting businesses, as well as householders. It has been affecting an awful lot of people in that area."

He has called for a cross-border connection to help those in the north of the county with supply.

Met Éireann

In its latest farming commentary, Met Éireann said that most areas are currently experiencing restriction to growth, with near drought or drought conditions across much of Munster and Leinster.

It said that soils are not as dry across northern parts of Ulster and northern and western parts of Connacht.

Soil moisture deficits currently range from 10mm in the north to close to 90mm in the south-east.

Met Éireann said overall, it's unlikely that there is going to be too much of a significant change over the coming week, with soil moisture deficits generally expected to only reduce slightly.

Rainfall accumulations have been substantially below average across much of the country over the last week, with most places recording less than 20% of their average rainfall amounts for this time of year.

Met Éireann said there was more rainfall across parts of the north and west, with between 150 and 175% of rainfall in northern parts of Ulster and western parts of Connacht.

There was generally very little rainfall recorded in Munster and Leinster, with stations along the south coast recording less than 1mm. 

Key priorities for farmers amid drought

Teagasc advisor Padraig Glynn has advised on the key management priorities for drystock farmers during dry conditions.

Glynn said July often brings a natural slowdown in grass growth after the May/June surge, and a dry spell can quickly tighten covers on drystock farms.

The priorities are to protect grass quality, match demand to lower growth, and secure enough winter fodder.

Glynn advised to measure grass covers at least weekly.

"Aim to hold 12–16 days ahead, and if average farm cover is sliding, move fast to reduce demand," he said.

"Tighten groups. Run larger combined groups to improve graze-outs and reduce the number of paddocks grazed at once.

"This protects regrowth and slows the rotation."

Glynn advised to target pre-grazing covers of ~1,000–1,400kg DM/ha where possible.

"Avoid forcing young stock to graze stemmy swards, as it depresses intake and gain," he said.

"Manage surpluses and deficits. Where a few paddocks raced ahead before the dry spell, remove them as bales to reset quality.

"If covers are too light, feed a bale at grass to hold residuals and protect the next rotation."

Moisture

Glynn said where ground is very dry or bare and severely moisture-stressed, moisture, not nutrients, is limiting grass growth.

"Where soil moisture deficit is above 60mm and swards are dry or bare, delay nitrogen until meaningful rain is forecast," he said.

"Do not spread fertiliser in the hope that rain will arrive."

Fodder budget

Glynn has encouraged farmers to do a fodder budget.

"First cuts following a wet spring can be below average. Assess needs and plan second/third cuts early," he said.

"Where second-cut regrowth is slow, avoid grazing silage ground by feeding one bale per day to cows and calves on the grazing block."

He also advised to slow the rotation now to build August covers.