Storms and up to three and a half inches of rain pose three-way threat to grain growers

Pictured on the farm of Val Dempsey at Minane Bridge, Co Cork was Senator Tim Lombard with agricultural contractor Ray Quinn from Nohoval where he was trying the harvest the spring barley crop after Storm Ellen. Picture Denis Boyle

Storms and rain have left grain growers temporarily stranded with about half of the harvest still to complete nationally.

With the harvest later than usual due to increased growing of spring crops, the storms and up to three and a half inches of rain in a week (recorded at the Met Éireann weather station at Cork Airport) could not have come at a worse time.