There is mixed reaction amongst farmers in Clare amid the warm weather spell.
It comes as the Agricultural sector is coping with an absolute drought following a fortnight without rainfall.
Over fifteen days where rainfall levels have measured less than point-two of a millimetre means Ireland is currently in the midst of an absolute drought.
However Farmers in County Clare are having a mixed reaction to the sustained dry spell.
Milk suppliers were forced to heavily curtail production in Spring with the wettest March ever recorded .
Cratloe based General Secretary of the Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmer’s Association, Eddie Punch says the warm weather is allowing farmers to store up their winter reserves.
He says farmers can now capitalise on the old adage, ‘make hay while the sun shines’
Uisce Eireann is currently restricting water supplies in 21 locations across the country including Fanore in North Clare.
The Chair of the Irish Creamery & Milk Suppliers Association, Martin McMahon says the lack of rainfall is significantly dangerous for areas of the county experiencing water supply restrictions.
In prominent limestone areas such as the Burren region, fears have been expressed that field fires could occur due to the lack of irrigation.
The O’Callaghan’s Mills farmer fears if the dry spell sustains for a protracted period , livestock could run out of fodder and face heat stroke or dehydration.
You can listen to the full interview below.
