The record rainfall in July has caused “serious issues” for the agricultural sector.

Data released by Met Éireann has revealed that rainfall was 217% higher than the normal average for July.

For many people that might be annoying - but for many farmers it has had huge implications for their livelihoods.

“The month of June, July, August - they’re months where farmers save fodder for the winter, so the grass is growing more quickly and they make hay and silage [so] that they have enough food for animals into the winter period,”  Farmers Journal reporter Barry Murphy told Newstalk Breakfast.

“So, when you have a wet summer or wet month in the summer, it really creates frustration there.

“Farmers can’t get out to the fields.”

Repercussions

Mr Murphy said farmers everywhere are “sick” of the weather but those along the Shannon have been particularly struggling.

“They farm callow land which is land that does flood at times during the year - particularly during the winter,” he said.

“But for the summer, those who run animals and farm it, will expect it to be dry and it stays dry through the management of the Shannon.

“They’re having serious issues at the moment where the land has been flooded, it’s under two feet of water and they would have saved grass on it - let the grass grow so they could harvest silage and hay off it.

“That ground is now underwater and they won’t be able to save bails off it and have that fodder for the winter.”

Pear fruit on a branch in drops with green leaves close-up

This inability to make silage will huge repercussion for this winter and there are concerns it will lead to shotrages.

“We spoke to Offaly contractor Anthony Kelly and he was saying he usually makes silage and hay for about 30 farmers around Athlone and Shannon Bridge and he’s saying that none of them have fodder yet this year in terms of silage and hay,” Mr Murphy said.

“They’re down about 4,000 to 5,000 bales.”

Some weather models are predicting the sunshine could return to Ireland next week, as high pressure moves towards us.

Main image: Farmers showing sheep. Picture by: Alamy.com