Wet and frosty March caused 'enormous stress' for farmers

Leap & District Vintage Club held its annual tractor run in aid of Marymount Hospice and Brú Columbanus amid heavy downpours on Monday, as the wet weather that prevailed through March continues this month. Picture: Andy Gibson

March was wetter and warmer than usual — with conditions particularly difficult for farmers — according to Met Éireann’s climate statement for the month.

The national forecaster noted that the weather was “wet and relatively mild overall” and the heavy rainfall has led to farmers calling for help from the Government.

Dublin Airport’s rainfall total was 115.4mm — 219% above its long-term average (LTA) for March. It was the third highest March rainfall on record for the station, behind 2023 and 1947.

The airport was also where the highest daily rainfall total was recorded last month, with 45.3mm of precipitation falling on March 1.

Phoenix Park also recorded totals which went above the 200% mark, reaching 211% of its LTA

Meanwhile, Valentia Observatory recorded its wettest March in more than 60 years. Across the 31 days, 239.8mm of rain fell at the Kerry station — which was 194% of its LTA.

By contrast, Finner in Co Donegal’s monthly rainfall total of 82.4mm was only 79% of its LTA — the lowest for any station in the country.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president Sean McNamara said: 'Crops are not going in the ground and cattle cannot be put out to graze due to saturated ground conditions.' Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA

The number of ‘rainy’ days ranged from 20 at Belmullet, Co Mayo to 29 at both Shannon Airport, Co Clare and Ballyhaise, Co Cavan.

The number of ‘wet’ days ranged from 14 at Malin Head, Co Donegal to 26 at Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry. The number of ‘very wet’ days ranged from one day at Dublin Airport to eight days at both Cork Airport and Valentia.

Along with Dublin Airport, Phoenix Park also had its wettest March day on record on Thursday March 1 with 43.9mm, while Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon had its wettest March day on record on Thursday 14 with 33.6mm.

That rainfall has done major damage to field conditions for farmers, with Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) president Sean McNamara saying that “any hope of an early spring” is well and truly dashed.  

"Crops are not going in the ground and cattle cannot be put out to graze due to saturated ground conditions," Mr McNamara said.

“All this is causing enormous stress and is putting serious financial pressure on farm families.”

On top of the issues with the rain, more than half of stations reported ground frost — causing further issues for crop farmers.

The number of days with ground frost ranged from zero days at a few stations to 18 days at Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

All mean air temperatures across the country were above their long-term average for the month

Mean temperatures for March ranged from 6.4C at Knock to 9.1C at Sherkin Island off the coast of Cork.

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All the month’s highest and lowest temperatures were recorded at Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon with both the lowest air and grass minimum temperatures reported on Friday 29.

The minimum air temperature was -2.7C while the lowest grass minimum was -7.1C. The high maximum was reported on Sunday March 31 with a temperature of 16.3C.

Mr McNamara added: “We want to see real action in the form of initiatives that will offer immediate assistance to farmers.”