Mayo farmers: 'This is the worst we've ever experienced'

Incessant wet weather has been described as “the worst we have ever experienced” by under-pressure Mayo farmers.

Wet conditions have persisted in the county since June of last year and local farmers say next month is “vital”.

Mayo IFA chair John Lynskey said the unprecedented wet weather has put farmers to the pin of their collars. He made his comments after another weekend when Mayo was buffetted by wind and rain as Storm Kathleen swept in from the Atlantic on Saturday morning.

“Any farmer who had dairy cows out on the grass had to bring them back in before Storm Kathleen and we don’t know when they will be out again.” 

Mr Lynskey said there has been widespread damage to farmers' lands.

“There has been very little fertiliser spread and the chances of doing it for another while are slim enough. Not only has there been immediate problems but it’s creating difficulties in the long term as well."

He said farmers are "living in hope" that the weather takes a turn for the better.

The Western People visited the dairy farm of Peter Murphy in Annefield, Hollymount yesterday (Monday). The 39-year-old Limerick native has set up home in South Mayo with his young family where he farms 30 hectares and tends to nearly 90 cows.

“Feed is the big issue and it’s getting very tight. Reserves are very low and when you are running out of quality silage that has an impact on the cow then. You’re worried about the energy of the cow and the health of the cow and that’s a big headache,” said Peter.

He said the bad weather has impacted grazing with the traditional second round of grazing having to be pushed out until hopefully conditions improve.

“The weather just has to turn for us,” said Peter.

Some farmers in parts of the county have found it difficult to even access their lands as flooding takes a toll and the weather is likely to have a major financial impact.

“There were times when you couldn’t go down the field with the tractor. The land was horrible,” said Roundfort sheep and suckler farmer Martin Shaughnessy.

He said the last year has been "probably the toughest since I started farming".

“Lambing ewes in February was the hardest Spring ever. It’s been constantly wet really,” said Martin, who is sheep chair with Mayo IFA.

“We’re just hoping for some fine weather,” he added.

There are fears there could be a food shortage as farmers are playing catch-up.

“There will be a shortage of food the way it’s going,” said Martin.

The IFA has urged the Government to put in place support to help them get through what they described as one of "the worst winter in living memory".

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohue has said he has no plans to make additional funding available to the Department of Agriculture to help farmers affected by the bad weather.

However, new Fine Gael leader Simon Harris told the party’s Ard Fheis at the weekend that he is looking to put a plan in place for beleaguered farmers. Mr Harris said the year has been “brutal” for farmers and promised the Government would help them.