Norman Dunne –
Kilgraigue,
Co Meath
The past few weeks have been busy on Norman’s farm in Meath, but now the gates are most likely closed on all crops.
Earlier this week, Norman was busy making hay with all the trials and tribulations that task involves as well as the challenge of trying to fit the job in with the weather. He has also made some hay in recent weeks.
Norman is very pleased with the condition and appearance of his crops.
Norman applying Signum onto his spring beans a couple of weeks ago
He reminded me that he had set himself a target of five years to get his land and output level back to where it had been prior to changing the ethos of his farming system. And if this year’s crops deliver as they look currently, he may well hit that target this year. However, he acknowledges that the weather has been relatively kind despite the dry and cold start and that it will account for part of the performance.
Michael Kennedy –
Athenry,
Co Galway
There hasn’t been much rain in Galway over the past two weeks, explains Michael. However, conditions up until then had been very broken. During the month of May, over 100mm of rain fell on his farm. The kinder weather has been beneficial for crops and Michael hopes to make his first cut of silage this week.
Michael applying a T1 fungicide onto his spring barley crops.
His earlier planted potatoes are now 20cm in height and are coming along well. Blight pressure is building however, and he expects to apply the crop’s first fungicide this week.