Farmers are being badly hit by poor growing conditions because of the unseasonally cold weather, Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, has reported.
In its latest crop report it says growth in spring crops has been poor and nutritional problems are being aggravated by low temperatures, which are affecting crops severely.
"Growth in spring sown crops, particularly spring barley, is poor. Symptoms of stress due to nutritional problems are very common. Low air temperatures are the main factors contributing to this stress but may be aggravated by poor seedbeds in places," said the weekly report.