Worst conditions for harvesting in 50 years, says IFA

FURTHER heavy rain in parts of the country over the weekend has added to the worst conditions for harvesting in more than 50 years, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association.

It estimates that the weather has already cost farmers more than €70 million and that the crop waiting to be harvested — worth €120 million it says — is now at serious risk unless the weather improves quickly.

The extra costs arise from a drop in crop yield and extra expenditure to high moistures and difficult ground conditions.