FARMERS in the Shannon Callows area are facing into another crisis period through the late spring and early summer period with thousands of acres of land now under water after the incessant rains of March.

Even with fine weather, it will be at least two months from now before the Callows will be fit for grazing as the River Shannon spills over onto the adjoining flatlands between Athlone and Portumna.

After a dry February, there were hopes for an ‘early spring’ among the Shannon Callows farmers but a very wet March has put paid to any chance of early grazing.

With rainfall totals for March at weather stations across the west coming in at close to 200mms. (close on 8 inches), the Callows have now been badly flooded for the past three weeks or so.

Local farmer and long-time activist in trying to tackle the problem of flooding in the Callows, Michael Silke, told the Farming Tribune that ‘not one iota of progress’ had been made in terms of dealing with the issue.

“It seems as if Waterways Ireland and the ESB can do what they like in terms of the waterflow situation along the Shannon.

“We’ve had meeting after meeting with politicians and other bodies involved with the Shannon but not a finger has been lifted to tackle the three problem pinch points on the river,” said Michael Silke.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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