Farmers counting cost of flooding

Several hundred acres of land in different parts of Galway remain flooded this week after December brought the heaviest month’s rainfall of the year. Almost eight inches of rainfall fell in Galway during December, giving it the No. 1 slot in the 2007 rain stakes, just ahead of July and January.Last Thursday, December 27, was the wettest day of the month — and the Winter so far — producing 32mms (1.25 inches) of rain over a 24 hour period. But the dry harvest — and the growing number of farmers with slatted houses — has made a big contribution to easing the flood hardship in rural areas. Co. Galway IFA Chairman Barry Donnelly said that the exceptionally good harvest period — from early September right through to the last days of November — had meant that fodder stocks were still high.“Many farmers also have their…..