Farmers concerned drought will affect animals

great to get the opportunity to take part in Ireland’s Smartest as I’ve always enjoyed watching television quizzes.”

He went on to thank everyone in Longford that sent him messages of support, before adding: “The format was fun to play even with the added pressure of the studio lights and cameras. There has been great support throughout the series from friends, neighbours, work colleagues and family, in particular my mother Mary.”

The series finale of Ireland’s Smartest, presented by quizmaster Claire Byrne, aired on June 4 on RTÉ One

FARMERS in Limerick have voiced concerns over what the current heatwave that is being enjoyed across Ireland will mean for their animals. They claim the country faces “absolute drought” with continued below-average rainfall forecasted.

Met Éireann has confirmed that such widespread and prolonged dry conditions have not been recorded in Ireland since 2018, when farmers suffered a severe drought and fodder crisis.

News Editor of the Irish Farmer’s Journal, Caitriona Morrissey, says the hot and dry weather is already impacting grass re-growth, and could lead to fodder shortages in the months ahead.

“Met Éireann has told us that 25 of 25 of its main weather stations have recorded between 15 and 26 dry days,” she said.

Limerick

“Fifteen is the bar to reach for drought in an area all of Met Eireann’s main weather stations have recorded drought conditions,” she added.

“What has happened is with 15 to 26 dry days, grass has not grown.”

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Matthew Martin of Met Éireann confirmed that an absolute drought is defined as when an area experiences 15 or more consecutive days with below 0.2mm of rain.

“The majority of the country is in drought at the minute,” Mr Martin admitted.

“It looks like it will gradually break down from the weekend on,” he added.

“High pressure will retreat to the north by the weekend, allowing showers on Friday night and Saturday morning. Over the next seven days, showers are forecast to bring around 10mm of rain, which will technically break the drought, but soil moisture deficits will still be high across the country for the next two weeks,” he said.