Teagasc: Flood damage will be apparent up to harvest
It has reported that over 40% of annual rainfall was recorded in Oak Park, Carlow, during the month of December.
Teagasc is predicting the impact of flooded fields on cereal crops will be apparent up to next harvest.
Advisers have put flooding at 5%-10% with potential damage at this stage of less than 5% of the crop area.
Most of the damage is confined to areas flooded by rivers or low lying areas.
Ciaran Hickey, Teagasc tillage adviser in Wexford, said despite major flooding in towns, most crops are reasonably okay in the county, with the major flooding taking place beside rivers in areas which generally are not sown to winter cereals.
“However, damage may not be apparent for some time on headlands, or areas of the field with poor soil structure, as plants may already be affected by restricted root growth and yield potential,” he said.
Ciaran Collins, Teagasc tillage adviser in Cork, said farmers with higher value crops are the most immediately impacted.
“There are a small number of farmers with potatoes in the ground and under water. It will be some time before these crops can be harvested and losses are expected to be high,” he said.
Mr Collins said substantial amounts of fodder beet are in the ground waiting to be harvested.
Ground conditions since mid- November halted harvesting.
Stocks are running out, creating a fodder gap for farmers and a potential loss of sale for beet growers, he said.
