Prolonged drought in Ireland: farmers are incurring significant losses.

In regions bordering counties Laois and Carlow, there is an acute deficit of soil moisture, which has reached 100 mm. According to the Met Éireann weather station in Oak Park, only 1.5 mm and 2.6 mm of precipitation fell in July and August, respectively. Abnormally high temperatures contribute to the drying of land, causing pastures to lose their suitability for grazing.

Dairy farmer William Cassidy, who keeps a herd of 125 cows, reports that he is forced to use winter feed reserves due to the lack of grass. The cost of maintaining one head is 3.80 euros per day, which amounts to weekly expenses of 3,500 euros. Under the current conditions, farmers are forced to send livestock for processing early, without waiting for the winter period. The situation is assessed as more severe than in 2018, as the precipitation forecast for the current season is unfavorable.

Teagasc specialist Joe Patton confirms that the current drought is comparable in scale to 2018; however, the chances for vegetation recovery are minimal due to the end of the active growing season. The livestock sector has suffered the most, as farmers have to use feed prepared for the winter.

Crop farms have also suffered. Farmer James Brennan notes that due to early ripening, the harvest of winter and spring barley, oats, wheat, and maize was collected earlier than usual, but the yield decreased by 30–40%. Beet crops also show signs of moisture deficit.

Minister of State Martin Heydon has initiated a meeting with agricultural sector leaders to assess the situation. Teagasc is conducting a national survey on feed reserves, the results of which are expected this coming Friday. At the same time, farmers express concern about the possible return of the excise duty on diesel fuel in September, which, in their opinion, will make feed logistics economically unfeasible.