John O Loughlin
@joloughlin.bsky.social
Irish, crops farmer, cyclist, science nerd, sports fan
2023 was just a nightmare harvest the combine was doing plenty of cultivations in places, getting straw dry enough to bale was a nightmare, having to cultivate late would have been just another pain in the backside. We had nice covers in after Winter barley though
October 31, 2025 at 11:26 AM
2023 was just a nightmare harvest the combine was doing plenty of cultivations in places, getting straw dry enough to bale was a nightmare, having to cultivate late would have been just another pain in the backside. We had nice covers in after Winter barley though
We were sowing cover crops in 2018, from memory we got it very hard to get any fine tilth and the covers were very slow to come through till we got a few showers. Even with the fine summer though we only got the Spring malting barley straw baled on 5th sept, which is too late to establish any cover
October 31, 2025 at 11:26 AM
We were sowing cover crops in 2018, from memory we got it very hard to get any fine tilth and the covers were very slow to come through till we got a few showers. Even with the fine summer though we only got the Spring malting barley straw baled on 5th sept, which is too late to establish any cover
Headwind all the way to Athy this morning on the Blueway, but hopefully it will push me home before the rain. Really starting to see the autumn colours now after the quiet spell of weather.
October 18, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Headwind all the way to Athy this morning on the Blueway, but hopefully it will push me home before the rain. Really starting to see the autumn colours now after the quiet spell of weather.
I walked all day at the ploughing championships and saw exactly one plough...
September 16, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I walked all day at the ploughing championships and saw exactly one plough...
100 kms later I found some more flowers in a field, I don't think these are supposed to be there though
July 27, 2025 at 4:57 PM
100 kms later I found some more flowers in a field, I don't think these are supposed to be there though
After getting up at stupid o clock, I'm 50 kms into an #audax, I'm as far south as I'll be going but this makes me feel like I'm in the Loire valley #sunflowers
July 27, 2025 at 6:53 AM
After getting up at stupid o clock, I'm 50 kms into an #audax, I'm as far south as I'll be going but this makes me feel like I'm in the Loire valley #sunflowers
Looks like I'll be doing a bit of the night shift
April 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Looks like I'll be doing a bit of the night shift
When you cut one side of a hedge and leave the other you can really see the difference rotational cutting makes, plenty of blackthorn here to keep the pollinators happy #farming #agriculture #pollinators
April 6, 2025 at 4:57 PM
When you cut one side of a hedge and leave the other you can really see the difference rotational cutting makes, plenty of blackthorn here to keep the pollinators happy #farming #agriculture #pollinators
This year's malting barley crop is in the ground, about 6 weeks earlier than last year, conditions not too bad either, the land ploughed over wet enough but got some nice slow drying. #harvest25 #farming #kildare
March 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM
This year's malting barley crop is in the ground, about 6 weeks earlier than last year, conditions not too bad either, the land ploughed over wet enough but got some nice slow drying. #harvest25 #farming #kildare
A stretch in the evenings, and the snowdrops in their glory would put a bit of a spring in your step #stillwinter #kildare #Ireland
January 31, 2025 at 1:03 PM
A stretch in the evenings, and the snowdrops in their glory would put a bit of a spring in your step #stillwinter #kildare #Ireland
Great to get back out on the bike in the fresh 🥶 air this morning, my leg is much better the last few weeks so I've been able to drop the bandages. #stormeowyn left a few obstacles though.
January 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Great to get back out on the bike in the fresh 🥶 air this morning, my leg is much better the last few weeks so I've been able to drop the bandages. #stormeowyn left a few obstacles though.
These frosty mornings are great for a bit of hedge trimming, because of the wet winter last year these weren't done then so are quite heavy. There were lots of berries for the birds but they are gone now so time to cut. Hopefully these will be left again for 2 or 3 years now. #farming #nature
January 8, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Not likely to do anything tomorrow so these will be my final figures for this year, a bit of a disaster really compared to my plans but that's life, 2X doses of Covid and the last 2.5 months with a hole in my leg closes down the options. Roll on 2025 and some better luck. #cycling #ireland
December 30, 2024 at 6:48 PM
In my opinion walking is a poor replacement for cycling but when you have compression bandages from toe to knee and you can't fit into your cycling gear it's the only option. On foot or two wheels the Blueway is a great amenity #kildare #barrowblueway
December 26, 2024 at 10:17 AM
In my opinion walking is a poor replacement for cycling but when you have compression bandages from toe to knee and you can't fit into your cycling gear it's the only option. On foot or two wheels the Blueway is a great amenity #kildare #barrowblueway
Current wind generation only half of what was forecast, I don't know for certain but maybe some wind farms have had to shut down as the wind is too strong? #stormdarragh
December 7, 2024 at 8:05 AM
Current wind generation only half of what was forecast, I don't know for certain but maybe some wind farms have had to shut down as the wind is too strong? #stormdarragh
I'm long enough farming to know that no 2 years are ever the same but the new extremes are challenging and make planning ahead more of an exercise in wishful thinking than any real expectation of it working out. #climatechange #ireland #farming #agriculture
November 17, 2024 at 8:37 AM
I'm long enough farming to know that no 2 years are ever the same but the new extremes are challenging and make planning ahead more of an exercise in wishful thinking than any real expectation of it working out. #climatechange #ireland #farming #agriculture
First proper air frost of the season here this morning but at least all the low cloud and fog is gone, it'll be nice to see the sun again ☀️
November 12, 2024 at 7:34 AM
First proper air frost of the season here this morning but at least all the low cloud and fog is gone, it'll be nice to see the sun again ☀️
This weekend I was meant to go to an audax in Mayo but life got in the way, instead myself and my mate headed up to the Wicklow hills. It was very nice once my legs woke up
September 14, 2024 at 1:15 PM
This weekend I was meant to go to an audax in Mayo but life got in the way, instead myself and my mate headed up to the Wicklow hills. It was very nice once my legs woke up
Chilly out but a nice start to the day...
September 13, 2024 at 5:55 AM
Chilly out but a nice start to the day...
Tis a misty, grey auld morning here, took to the canal for my morning spin till visibility improves #cycling #barrowblueway #Ireland
September 8, 2024 at 9:29 AM
Tis a misty, grey auld morning here, took to the canal for my morning spin till visibility improves #cycling #barrowblueway #Ireland
The end is nigh for #harvest24 and I'm not a bit sorry, it's been a shitty year to grow crops here in #Ireland thanks to #climatechange. Roll on #harvest25
September 1, 2024 at 4:34 PM
The end is nigh for #harvest24 and I'm not a bit sorry, it's been a shitty year to grow crops here in #Ireland thanks to #climatechange. Roll on #harvest25
If you see this and are so inclined, please post a picture you took at sunset
August 26, 2024 at 8:47 AM
If you see this and are so inclined, please post a picture you took at sunset
This mornings spin was well timed, I arrived at the gate of Cushaling wind farm just as the first nacelle was lifted into place. 80 tons dropped with precision 100+ meters up in the air. The blades will go on later in the week weather permitting
August 14, 2024 at 8:40 AM
This mornings spin was well timed, I arrived at the gate of Cushaling wind farm just as the first nacelle was lifted into place. 80 tons dropped with precision 100+ meters up in the air. The blades will go on later in the week weather permitting
An unusually stylish coffee stop today in Timahoe Co Laois, a local community initiative to get it up and running.
August 11, 2024 at 3:41 PM
An unusually stylish coffee stop today in Timahoe Co Laois, a local community initiative to get it up and running.