Near-drought conditions bring fresh worries for farmers with dry months to come

Met Éireann said all soils nationwide were dry, reflected in soil moisture deficit (SMD) measurements ranging between 15 and 20mm over Connacht and Ulster and between 20 and 55mm over Munster and Leinster.

Near-drought conditions are a worry for farmers in some areas, with the dry months of July, August, and September still to come.

Irish Water has appealed to the public in Wexford to be mindful of their water usage, because increased summer demand is being exacerbated by warm weather and widespread drought.