Adverse weather update

Snow and frost is causing challenges for farmers in some parts of the Tirlán catchment area. The following is an update on Tirlán operations.

 

Update Wednesday 8 January at 9am

A small number of branches in the south – Castlelyons, Glenville and Tallow – will delay opening this morning until 10am due to local road conditions. In affected areas, please phone ahead before travelling to confirm branch opening hours.

Please check Met Eireann for updated weather warnings. Tonight (Wednesday) is forecast to be “extremely cold and largely dry. A few wintry showers will affect parts of the north and west. There will be severe frost, ice or black ice and patches of freezing fog. Lowest temperatures of -8 to -3 degrees with light variable breezes”.

Met Eireann forecast that tomorrow (Thursday) morning will be “bitterly cold with widespread frost, ice and some freezing fog, lingering throughout the day in many areas.”

 

Update Tuesday 7 January at 9am

All branches are open today Tuesday, subject to local conditions. In affected areas, please phone ahead before travelling to confirm branch opening hours. Branches on higher ground have had some issues with power supply and snow blocking access but the majority of branches are operating as normal.

Contact details for your local Tirlan branch can be found at the link below.

https://www.tirlanfarmlife.com/store-finder

Feed deliveries

Feed deliveries continue as normal in the majority of areas. Farmers in areas with access challenges are encouraged to keep in contact with their Business Manager.

Weather forecast

The Met Éireann warning issued at 9am this morning was as follows:

"A Status Orange warning for low temperatures and ice has been issued for 22 counties tonight (Tuesday). It is due to come into effect at 8pm and last until 10am Wednesday. Met Éireann has warned of "extremely cold" weather with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow"

The Met Eireann forecast issued at 5am this morning was as follows:

“A very cold day with sunny intervals and scattered wintry showers, most frequent in the west and north. Frost and ice along with some lying snow will persist in some areas all day. Highest temperatures of just 0 to 5 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.

For Tuesday night, the Met Eireann forecast is: “Extremely cold and largely dry tonight though a few wintry showers will affect parts of the north and west. Lowest temperatures of -8 to -3 degrees generally, locally lower, with a severe frost and icy stretches. Light variable breezes will allow patches of freezing fog to develop.

For Wednesday morning the forecast is: “A bitterly cold morning with widespread frost and ice along with patches of freezing fog, lingering in places through the day. Otherwise, there will be sunny periods and scattered wintry showers, mainly in the north and west. Highest temperatures of -1 to +4 degrees with mostly light northerly breezes, more moderate near southern coasts.”

 

Update Monday 6 January at 9am

All branches are open today Monday subject to local conditions. In affected areas, please phone ahead before travelling to confirm branch opening hours.

The Animal Health Ireland CalfCare event scheduled for Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford today has been postponed.

Milk collection continues today (Monday 6th) but please be aware that collection times may vary in some regions due to road conditions. Please clear roads and grit yards where possible.

Feed deliveries continue to operate where it is safe to do so. Please place your feed orders in the normal way and allow some extra time for delivery given road conditions.

If you are experiencing any difficulties, please contact your Milk Supply Manager or local Tirlán representative.

Chairperson John Murphy said that Tirlán will continue to monitor the situation. He added: “The most important message is for farmers to ensure the safety of themselves and all working on farms. Farmyards are busy workplaces at this time of the year and these adverse weather conditions can make conditions very challenging. We are particularly grateful to our milk and feed transport team for working hard to ensure that milk collection and feed deliveries are maintained.”

The latest Met Eireann forecast at 8am on Monday is as follows: “Today will be very cold with ice and lying snow in many areas. Widespread frost will be slow to clear and will persisting in places. There'll be sunshine and scattered showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow. Highest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees but staying below freezing over snow-fields. Northwesterly winds will increase moderate to fresh and gusty.

For tonight (Monday) night, the forecast is as follows: “Clear spells and scattered sleet and snow showers, the showers most frequent in the west and north. Widespread frost and ice with lowest temperatures of -5 to 0 degrees and moderate west to northwest winds.”