Tipperary farmers should be allowed make hay while the sun shines

ICSA rural development chair Seamus Sherlock has called for a derogation to allow GLAS farmers with traditional hay meadow to mow hay over the coming days.

“While the traditional hay meadow is well meaning, it is unconscionable that for the sake of a few days, we would prevent farmers from making hay while the sun shines.”

The GLAS rule bans hay cutting until July 1st but the weather forecast for the rest of June is for brilliant sunshine.

“It is unacceptable that a once in ten year’s opportunity to make real quality hay would be missed only a few months after we imported hay due to the catastrophic fodder crisis. We do not want farmers to risk losing GLAS money for a breach of regulation but we have to have some common sense applied,” he said.

The call was backed by IFA rural development chairman Joe Brady, who said: “The excellent weather and ground conditions at the moment are ideal for cutting to take place now. This will ensure farmers can maximise fodder conservation, which is critical following the significant depletion of fodder stocks last winter and spring.”