Sligo Weekender

Last week’s rain welcomed but drier conditions ahead

- BY JOHN BROMLEY – JOHN.BROMLEY@SLIGOWEEKE­NDER.IE nephintrac­tors@gmail.com

RECENT rainfall across the country has helped to drive grass growth rates once again, and this will be a welcome relief on many farms, who were feeling the pinch. With grass growth powering on, the worry is that it will become stemmy and, with that, the digestibil­ity of it will decrease rapidly. Walking your farm is the only way you will know what grass you have and don’t have on your farm.

On some farms, the drier conditions seen of late will have posed no problem at all and, on traditiona­lly heavy ground, particular­ly over to the west and northwest of the country, the drier conditions would have actually seen grass grow very well – with plenty of hay made during this time.

The target at this stage of the year will be to have 12-14 days of grass ahead. Again, where possible, fields that have heavy covers should be taken out for silage. To help keep on top of grass quality, graze fields at the correct sward height and make use of dry ewes to clean out paddocks or top them after they have been grazed. Ewes shouldn’t be restricted to cleaning out low covers of grass for long after weaning, as they need to regain condition ahead of breeding – so they will need access to good-quality grass soon after.

Lambs need to be going into short, leafy covers of grass (7-9cm) where good weight gain can be achieved.

The forecast for the next number of days is for high temperatur­es and dry sunny weather. Thursday: A warm dry day for most with sunny spells developing in the afternoon.

The chance of patchy drizzle will continue along Atlantic coasts extending into parts of western Ulster at times. Highest temperatur­es of 19 to 24 degrees, warmest in the south and southeast in light to moderate northweste­rly or variable breezes. Dry with long clear spells overnight and lowest temperatur­es of 14 to 16 degrees in the east, 11 to 13 degrees in the west as winds ease mainly light and variable allowing for mist and coastal fog to develop.

Friday: Another warm day with better sunny spells, although cloud will bubble up at times in the afternoon, while the chance of isolated spots of drizzle in the northwest will continue. Highest temperatur­es of 20 to 25 degrees, in light variable breezes. Weekend: Current indication­s suggest that it will be very warm with long sunny spells while holding largely dry. Highest temperatur­es will widely be in the mid-20s, possibly higher locally.

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