Farmers in Northern Ireland face challenges from more than six weeks of frequent rainfall, which has delayed slurry spreading and early potato planting. Dairy farmer Mervyn Gordon described conditions as hectic, with his 400,000-gallon slurry tank nearly full from his 250-cow herd producing up to 6,000 gallons daily. The wet weather prevents spreading until ground conditions improve, as required by regulations prohibiting it from 15 October to 31 January to protect water quality.

Slurry spreading resumes only when weather and soil suit absorption by growing plants. Farmers must maintain adequate storage to avoid overflows, animal welfare issues, or pollution. A reasonable excuse clause allows minimal spreading if storage is exhausted. Gordon's farm in the North Sperrins, also with 100,000 chickens, adopted specialist separation equipment due to a bovine tuberculosis closure increasing slurry output.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir acknowledged the wet weather's impact on farming, a sector affected by climate change. He noted a draft Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme awaits Stormont Executive approval. Provisional Met Office data shows winter rainfall 25 percent above average, with Down and Armagh seeing nearly double normal amounts.

Potato supplier Wilson's Country reported no early planting possible this February due to rain. Chief executive Angus Wilson expects catch-up in warmer spring weather. The Ulster Farmers' Union urged DAERA for flexibility on slurry storage amid planning constraints, with deputy president John McLenaghan warning resilience has limits.

Recent storms including Bram, Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra brought heavy rain and winds. Climate change contributes to wetter UK winters and intense downpours, with projections for more significant rainfall days in Northern Ireland.