Warm, dry weather brings mixed outlook for farmers

Met Éireann data shows that farming conditions across much of the country remain dry and warm, with soil temperatures and air temperatures above the seasonal average.

Mean air temperatures are expected to remain between 1 and 3 degrees above normal in the coming week, although conditions are set to cool somewhat by the end of next week. Soil temperatures are also running higher than usual and are forecast to stay well above average.

Drying conditions will be generally good over the coming days, though occasional showers will hinder drying, particularly in the southwest on Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday morning. More favourable drying is expected to return nationwide from Tuesday afternoon and persist through much of next week.

Spraying opportunities should be widely available, with long dry spells and winds mostly moderate or lighter. Showers in parts of the south and southwest will be the main interruption.

Soils are currently dry and trafficable across the country. Soil moisture deficits range from 8mm in the north to 60mm in the south and southeast. Leinster and Munster have the driest ground. Little change is expected in the coming week, though some reduction in deficits is possible in the southwest where heavier showers may fall.

Met Éireann warns that grass growth will become increasingly restricted as a result of the ongoing dryness, particularly in southern and eastern counties.