Climate changes likely to change farming practices

CONTINUING climate changes are likely to significantly alter the systems of farming practiced in Ireland, an international conference was told yesterday.

Dr Myles Rath of UCD’s Agri-Food and the Environment Faculty told the opening session of the International Grassland Congress in Dublin that summer droughts leading to severe reductions in grass growth were likely to be more common over the coming decades.

In a paper on farming trends in Ireland, prepared jointly with Steve Peel of the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Britain, Dr Rath said evidence of climate change was becoming stronger.