It's been mighty cold and dry for the Hay crop but it is growing slowly.

Crop and grass growth is being held back with soil temperatures lower than this time last year and dry conditions persistent .

We have had very little rain for the last 6 weeks which means most plants aren't going anywhere fast.

In years gone past April showers have bolstered crop size and grass yields .

The long range forecast is suggesting the rest of April will be dry .

Our policy is not to water any plants at all, if we did we would be committed to water all year as the plants will get dependant on it.

We find the plants take sufficient moisture when dew is present at night.

In fact some nights the dew moisture content is like a mini shower of rain but by morning it evaporates and you wouldn't realise you had it at all.