Many crops decimated by rain in 2012
MANY local crops were at best decimated by heavy rain and water-logging across Northern Ireland last year with Cauliflower worst hit by the inclement weather - the crop suffered a whopping 50 per cent decrease in yields in 2012, the Sentinel can reveal.
After Cauliflower, Broccoli (40 per cent) and Bramley Apples (between 35-40 per cent) were the next worst affected.
By contrast scallions suffered no reduction in yield at all, according to official figures.
Other crop producers suffered mixed fortunes. Forage Maize (35 per cent), Brussel Sprouts (30 per cent), Turnips (25 per cent), Wheat (23 per cent), Oats (21 per cent), Cabbages and Carrots (20 per cent), Potatoes (19 per cent), Barley (13 per cent), Leeks, Parsnips and Grass (10 per cent), were all decimated or worse by the downpours in 2012.
Farms Minister Michelle O’Neill said the figures were provided by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).
She added: “Both grass and forage maize are converted into food through animals producing milk and red meat.
“Farmers have compensated for reduced quantity and quality of forage by feeding more concentrates and, as a result production of milk and meat has not fallen commensurately.”
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Weather for Londonderry
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
