Farmers not exempt from hosepipe ban as drought begins to hit crops

Wexford farmers are not exempt from the hosepipe ban coming into effect tomorrow, despite reports suggesting otherwise, according to Wexford IFA Environmental Chair Jer O'Mahony.

Speaking to South East Radio News, Mr O'Mahony said farmers who rely on the public water supply will face the same restrictions as everyone else, with reduced water pressure posing a particular challenge for livestock during the ongoing dry spell.

He said while many farms have private wells, "there are still a huge amount of farmers that are on the public system," adding that dairy farmers could be especially affected because "cows drink a lot of water during the day, and if they haven't got water, they will panic."

The warning comes as Wexford enters what Mr O'Mahony described as "very much a drought situation," with the prolonged spell of warm, dry weather beginning to affect this year's harvest.

While the sunshine has provided ideal conditions for harvesting winter crops, he said it has come at a cost. "The winter crops have nearly all been cut with this fine weather, which is most unusual," he said, but added that yields have fallen well below normal. "Normally you'd be expecting four to five tonnes per acre. They're probably three, three-and-a-half, maybe some reaching four."

He believes the outlook is even more worrying for spring crops, which are now suffering under the relentless heat. According to Mr O'Mahony, the crops are "quite literally burning in," with the sun turning them golden "long before they should," meaning the grain is not getting enough time to fully develop.

As a result, he said farmers can expect grain that is "small and light," despite what has otherwise been excellent harvesting weather. "While it's fantastic weather for harvesting and for straw and everything else, the grain itself is struggling," he said.

Relief may still be some way off, with Mr O'Mahony saying current forecasts suggest the next realistic chance of rain is around the 24th of the month.

With combines, balers, tractors and trailers now travelling across the county throughout the harvest season, he also appealed for patience from all road users. He asked farmers to pull in and allow traffic to pass where it is safe to do so, while urging motorists to slow down and overtake only when it is safe.

"It's only the one time of the year that these people are out trying to get work done," he said, adding that a little courtesy from everyone would help keep roads safe during one of the busiest periods of the farming calendar.