Primary economic activities:Western region

Cool temperate oceanic climate

• While the cool temperate oceanic climate gives the region with a mild climate with no extremes of temperatures (Belmullet, Mayo-14 degrees July, 6 degrees Jan) it also limits agricultural production/ development.

• High levels of cloud cover limits sunshine to an average of three hours per day compared to 5 to 6 and a 1/2 hours nationally.

This hinders both the growth and ripening of arable crops/ tillage, such as wheat and barley. (only 2.4% of the national barley crop is grown in the region)

Precipitation

• Higher precipitation levels Average

Rainfall is 1100 to 2000mm per year) due to relief rain and cyclonic rainfall from frequent depressions blown in from the Atlantic reduces the window for harvesting and makes cereals prone to fungal diseases.

As the value of cereal crops is based on moisture content, it also affects profits for farmers and limits development.

• With its mild temperatures and abundant precipitation, the climate is suited to grass growing, making pastoral farming - cattle rearing and sheep farming - the most common agricultural activity.

Examples of farming

• Dairy farmers are found in the North-East of Mayo.

• Lowland sheep farming dominate

the limestone soils in East

Galway and South Roscommon

• Mountain sheep are also found in the rough grazing lands on the hills and mountains in West Mayo and Connemara

• Poor climatic conditions in winter make it necessary to keep cattle indoors for long periods leading to smaller profits as they have to be fed over winter and early spring.

• Farmers traditionally have sold their cattle to farmers in the East after two vears as it is unprofitable to keep them.

Markets

• The Western region is a peripheral region, and it is isolated from the main Irish such as Dublin and European markets with over 500 million people.

• The east and south of Ireland provide a market for two-year-old cattle which are then fattened in these areas.

They are then sold to local meat processing plants, thus denying Western farmers of greater profit and reducing development.

• Low population density

(30 per km2) and low levels of urbanisation in the Western Region means a limited local market for agricultural produce.

• As a result, the main markets are the east coast of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the EU.

Getting produce to market incurs extra transport cost which reduces profit margins and results in lower incomes for farmers.

Poor transport links and niche farming

• Poorly-developed communications transport links within the region means products are slower in getting to the market. For perishable products like meat and dairy, this results in a shorter shelf life, reducing the value of the product.

• The declining value of sterling due to the UK's Brexit referendum has meant a reduction in the number of Northern Irish cattle and sheep dealers attending local marts.

• In response to poor markets young farmers are turning to niche markets such as bed and breakfasts, pet farms, hill-walking through the farms, making craft food like jams to sell at farmer's markets to help develop agriculture and make a living.

• While agriculture is very important to the region, it is less prosperous and has lower yields for the farmers.