Farming | Spring | 2023

Welcome to the spring 2023 edition of West Cork Farming

IN this bumper edition,you’ll find lots of news, views, information and advice regarding all things agricultural in West Cork and beyond.

We take a look at the latest developments at the ground-breaking Farm Zero C near Bandon, a deep dive into energy generation and conservation on farms in West Cork and we have expert advice on eating well on those long, hard days at work on the land.

Ahead of the national agm in Bantry on May 13th members of Carbery Macra tell us about their experiences in the organisation and how it’s an excellent social outlet for like-minded young people.

We bring you details of the new format for the prestigious West Cork Farming Awards – now in their ninth year – and we profile two West Cork farmers as they prepare their prize animals for the upcoming show season.

Here in The Southern Star we truly value and support our local farming community, and we endeavour to reflect this, not only in this magazine, but also in our extensive agricultural coverage in the main paper every week, online, and in the prestigious and hugely popular West Cork Farming Awards.

We ask that you support our wonderful West Cork farming community, and indeed the environment, by choosing to source your produce locally. We also ask that you also extend that support to our advertisers who provide a complete range of products and services to West Cork farmers. Thank you.

– The Southern Star team

If you’d like to advertise in a future edition of this magazine or in the Farming section of the newspaper please contact our offices on 028-21200 or email advertising@southernstar.ie

The NEW Southern Star ePaper is here

Farm Zero C continues to push the boundaries

BY EMMA CONNOLLY

THE country’s first integrated anaerobic digestion and green biorefining unit will be operational on Farm Zero C by next year.

Both technologies already exist separately, but this is the first time they will work in tandem, in what could potentially offer exciting new opportunities for West Cork farmers.

It will essentially valorise what farmers here do very well, and that is growing grass.

Earlier this year Carbery Group and partners received a €3m investment for the unit from the Department of Agriculture for the further development of climate neutral farming as part of the Farm Zero C research project.

The Farm Zero C project is hosted on Shinagh Estates Dairy Farm just outside Bandon. The farm was originally set up in 2011 as part of the Teagasc and Carbery joint programme in conjunction with the four West Cork Co-ops, Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird. The objective of the farm has pivoted since the project won the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)

Zero Emissions Challenge to create an economically viable, climate neutral dairy farm.

Gavin Hunt, Biorbic, project manager at Farm Zero C explains how integrated AD and biorefinery units are still very new technology, and that this will be the first to go ahead in this country.

The success of an earlier grass biorefining project, in conjunction with Carbery, gave partners confidence for this ground breaking research project.

That was the Biorefinery Glas project funded by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.  Led by the Institute of Technology, Tralee (now MTU Tralee), Biorefinery Glas had five partners including the Barryroe Co-operative, the Carbery Group, GRASSA BV and University College Dublin.

Biorefinery Glas was the first demonstration of small-scale biorefining in Ireland, supporting development of new business models and farmer diversification into the circular bioeconomy. It represented a major first step towards changing the role of farmers in the bioeconomy, from suppliers of biomass to producers of

finished and semi-finished products.

This new unit now builds on that work, and takes it a step further. Instead of putting grass straight into the AD (ultimately to be used to produce electricity or to be fed back to the gas grid, after upgrading it to biomethane) it goes into the biorefinery first.

‘This is valorising grass. You’re putting

grass into this biorefinery and you’re getting out a few different outputs,’ explains Gavin.

‘The first is pressed cake that can be baled and used as winter forage. You also get a liquid which can be turned into whey, which can be a feed stock for the anaerobic digester and in what’s very exciting, you get a dried protein which can be as a replacement for soya,’ explains Gavin.

This protein can potentially displace soya in animal, namely pig, diets.

‘We did a trial in 2019 on pigs in Timoleague where we replaced 25% of soya in their diet, and saw very positive results. In 2022 we used this grass protein concentrate in 50% of their diet and again we saw positive results to date,’ said Gavin.

‘As a country we’re very reliant on buying in protein, especially soya which has a massive carbon footprint, he added, so the benefits are clear.’

Other research will be carried out in tandem with this work, including looking at the AD digestate and can it be used as a fertiliser, and also a process called VFA (volatile fatty acids) extraction,

Gavin Hunt, project manager at Farm Zero C.

On-farm renewable energy production and multi-species swards have contributed to a 17% reduction in emissions on Farm Zero C.

which looks at how fatty acids which can be used as building blocks in biobased plastics.

Gavin stressed that it’s going to be a farm scale bio refinery unit for research purposes only, but the potential is huge.

An Irish engineering firm has been tendered to build the unit and it’s hoped it will be operational by mid to late next year.

Meanwhile Farm Zero’s methane reducing feed trial, which got underway late last year, and, is showing promising results.

The trial is being conducted by Teagasc in Moorepark and it’s also being fed to Shinagh’s 250 dairy cows over the winter housing period.

‘There are still some key challenges, mainly how we’d get it into a grazing system, it’s easier to control when cows are indoors but the results are good,’ said Gavin.

Agriculture accounted for 33.33% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2021, down from 34% in 2020. Ireland has committed to a 25% cut in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030

In the time since the Farm Zero C project has started measuring Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and making interventions to reduce them, on-farm emissions at Shinagh have been cut by more than 17%. Measures such as on renewable energy, clover, multi species swards and protected urea have contrib-

uted significantly to this reduction. Grass biorefining and anaerobic digestion will further contribute to the projects journey towards climate neutrality.

Enda Buckley, Carbery’s director of sustainability concluded: ‘Carbery has had a focus since our foundation on creating a circular economy, and we are known for using every part of the milk that we process. As part of that circular model, we have had anaerobic digestion (AD) on-site in our plant in Ballineen for more than 40 years. With grass biorefining and AD, we are excited, with the support of the department, to bring that concept of valorisation, or adding value, into the farming model. This project will allow us to extract value from every part of the grass and is an essential component of the model for climate neutral farming that we are trying to create via the Farm Zero C project. It’s a great boost for the project and for West Cork and farming.’

THE SCIENCE BIT…

ANAEROBIC digestion is a process in which organic matter is broken down by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen. This process produces a biogas, which is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, and a digestate, which is a nutrient-rich liquid that can be used as a fertiliser. Anaerobic digestion has several environmental benefits. First, it reduces the amount of organic waste that needs to be disposed of in landfills, where it can produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Second, the biogas produced during anaerobic digestion can be used as a renewable energy source, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Third, the digestate produced during the process can be used as a fertiliser, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers, and improving soil health. Overall, anaerobic digestion can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve waste management, and support sustainable agriculture.

The green biorefinery approach converts freshly harvested grass into a range of products, including an optimised cattle feed fibre, a non-GMO protein concentrate feed for monogastrics and a grass whey for fertiliser or bioenergy applications.

Top: Methane breath testing being carried out on cattle at Farm Zero C.

Above: A large crowd in attendance at an open day at the facility in Shinagh.

Left: Enda Buckley, director of sustainability with Carbery.

More power to you

RENEWABLE energy and increased energy use efficiency have come into the spotlight on many farms as a result of higher electricity prices over the last year.

Heat recovery systems to ease water heating costs on dairy farms have been in use fpr over 50 years and farmers have turned to them again as energy prices have soared.

Instead of losing the heat generated by the compressor that drives the milk tank to the atmosphere, a heat pump’s primary energy saving is that they can heat water to 40 or 50 degrees. This means less energy is consumed compared to having to heat water from 12 to 80 degrees.

Commonplace on the continent, they even supply some household hot water where sheds are close to the residence.

Evelyn Kingston of Kingston Refrigeration said they have seen a resurgence in interest in heat recovery units since electricity prices started rising.

‘Heating water accounts for 23% of the energy costs on a typical dairy farm,’ she explains.

‘With a heat recovery system you can reduce your energy consumption by harnessing the hot refrigerant from any compressor to heat water. When you don’t use a heat recovery system your fan on the cooling unit cools the hot refrigerant from the compressor all the heat being generated is lost. Heat recovery lowers your carbon footprint and saves money on heating water.’

Mueller heat recovery models supplied by Kingston Refrigeration are in sizes from 190 litre, 300 Litres and 450 litre and cost from €4,000 to €5,500.

Heat pumps are included in the new Tams 3 (targeted agricultural modernisation scheme) with a reference cost of €3,900 so they’re worth considering on any dairy farm.

Milking 125 cows near Rosscarbery, dairy farmer Donal Tobin is a member of a group of West Cork farmers who are looking to see where they can be more efficient in their energy use.

Availing of an SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) grant, they conducted an energy audit on their farms

and identified areas to improve on.

As a result, Donal recently installed solar panels.

‘There was a limit of 11.5kw in the last tranche of Tams so we maxed that out, and we also put in battery storage. These are charged on the night rate and provide power for milking in the morning, and the power generated during the day is used for the evening milking and colling the milk,’ he said.

A solar energy company surveyed the yard to see where the most suitable site for the panels was and they also handled

the grant application.

‘We placed the panels which, when combined, take up a space of about 30ft in length and 16ft in depth on a south-facing machinery shed that had no sky lights and has plenty more room if we want to expand it,’ Donal pointed out.

While he has roof space to carry more solar panels, policy remains a restraining factor.

‘We’ll probably go to about 16kw because selling into the grid is a non-runner because they’re not paying enough. It sounds ridiculous, hopefully that will

Ronald and Brian Shorten, Lisavaird Co-op, are former overall winners in the Carbery Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards. (Photo: Don MacMonagle)

Evelyn Kingston of Kingston Refrigeration checking a heat pump installed on a dairy farm in Ballineen, West Cork.

(Photo: Andy Gibson)

change. If the price did increase, we would expand the number of panels as it will then become viable.’

Some farmers, such as Ronald Shorten, are a bit further down the renewable energy road than others. He installed a wind turbine on the family farm at Woodfield near Clonakilty over a decade ago.

‘We were looking at it 11 or 12 years to invest in the farm and renewable energy started to come on board. There was only one company at the time, a Galway-based company that has since ceased to operate. A salesman from them called and looked at suitable sites on the farm and we settled on an 11kw wind turbine.’

The Shortens are selling about one third of the electricity into the grid and getting

and about 9c/unit for the electricity they are exporting. But it’s not all been plain sailing. Wind by its nature is unpredictable and with a lot of moving parts, gusts can create a sudden jerk on the turbine and that puts the technology under pressure.

‘If everything is working right, the turbine does exactly what it’s meant to do and it will produce about 25,000 units of electricity in the year – and that’s allowing for a few breakdowns. We really notice the value of having a turbine when it does break down, as our electricity bill rises. If I had my time back, I’d probably go for solar. With the new Tams, it’s something we’ll look at it and we will take it from there.’

Above: Dairy farmer Donal Tobin checks the solar control panel which he had installed to reduce energy usage during milking. Left: The 22 solar panels Donal had installed on the roof of one of his sheds. (Photos: Andy Gibson)

Above: Michael Coomey from Timoleague at the Ahiohill Tractor Run with his David Brown 950.

Left: Pat O’Flynn, Enniskeane, arriving at the Ahiohill Tractor Run and getting directions on where to park his 1947 Allis-Chalmers.

Below: Declan Corcoran from Crookstown with his children Jack, Declan and Roisín at the Ahiohill tractor run.

(Photos: David Patterson, Denis Boyle)

Fuelling the work!

BY AOIFE MORRISON

LET’S face it, there are few that work harder in this world than farmers. Eye-watering hours, often without breaks, so keeping the body and mind fuelled should be top priority. Farming is physically and mentally demanding and requires near constant attention. Yet it burns less calories than one would imagine due to the fact the tractor is home for many.

Food is often a grab and go situation, with little preparation or thought given to what is eaten.

What do you need to consider for nutrition, fuel, and satisfaction? First and foremost – keep it simple and familiar. A complete overhaul is unrealistic. Rather than cutting foods, consider what you can add.

BREAKFAST

Whether you grab a bowl of cereal, porridge, toast, or coffee, I want you to add a piece of fruit and a source of protein, so think yogurt, eggs, or cheese. This will give your body a lasting hit of energy. Granola is a great option for your cereal or yogurt, or just chuck some in a bag as a snack on the go!

SNACKS

Contrary to popular belief, snacks are your friend. When you stop extreme hunger kicking in by eating between meals, you are less likely to overeat when you do finally eat. Plus your energy levels will be sustained! Buy pre-prepared veg and dips from the shops. Protein is your friend - anything that comes from an animal, and nuts, or popcorn. Make a few boiled eggs at the start of the week so you have them on hand to chuck in your lunch box.

Don’t be afraid to include foods you crave. Always

LUNCH AND DINNER

These are connected because they are interchangeable in the farming world!

My top tips:

• Serve veg first and include at least two (other than potatoes).

• Invest in a good thermos and bring some soup –add as much veg and beans as you can.

• Are sandwiches a staple? Try multigrain bread and load it up with as much veg as you can.

• Always include at least one piece of fruit and one source of protein.

WATER

Coffee and energy drinks may be the fuel of farmers worldwide, but you cannot underestimate the impact of not drinking enough water. Pick yourself up a water bottle and make sure it is filled every evening ready for the next day. Dehydration will make you tired, cranky, and less aware – dangerous for a farmer!

If you are someone who grabs some fried food at the shops every day, you aren’t giving your body the support it needs – simple as that! But that doesn’t mean you need to avoid the food you love. Again, consider ways to add nutrition. So, if you have a day that you are craving deli chips, go for it. But couple it with some fruit and yogurt. Or grab a bag of nuts.

Simple and convenient is key.

For support and guidance from a qualified nutritionist contact Aoife on 087 448 8540, or aoife@ mumsfornutrition.com. Or check out Mums for Nutrition on Instagram.

Local farming knowledge sets Cronin’s Hardware Ballylickey apart

WITH so many external factors affecting farmers, it brings peace of mind knowing that the person consistently serving you at your local hardware store comes from a farming background. These days, practical farming experience is hard to beat and, when it is coupled with further study in agriculture and animal welfare, you can rest assured that you are in the right hands.

Agri sales specialist James Murphy, known for his cheeky grin and friendly service, has been working at Cronin’s Homevalue Hardware in Ballylickey for 10 years now. What some people may not know, however, is that James has spent his entire life working on the family farm, which he inherited when his father retired.

James farms suckler cows and mountain breed sheep in nearby Coomhola, Bantry. He has an autumn/winter calving system, with lambing in late March/early April. Happily married to Lorna, James is proud to be bringing up their two little boys on their family farm, similar to his experiences in his own childhood.

Seen pictured here with their dad, Tadgh will be 4 in June and Evan only recently turned 2 years’ old.

James says ‘As a farmer with young children, health and safety is most important to me.’ He strongly advises farmers to investigate grant application systems to increase the health and safety of their farming practices, such as the grants available for animal handling facilities and stock proofing of lands (fencing). James adds that the government’s Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) are very helpful for farmers to make improvements to equipment on their holding or for upgrades/new development of farm buildings. He also stresses that it is important to always wear the correct PPE equipment when undertaking certain farm tasks. Put simply, James’ motto is ‘A healthy farmer is a happy farmer.’

Having completed an agricultural certificate course at Clonakilty Agricultural College, James went on to study other specific certificate courses to further his knowledge in areas such as animal remedies/supplements, and the dispensing and handling of farm pesticides (which are all sold at Cronin’s).

A firm believer that ‘In Ireland there is no such thing as bad weather but rather bad equipment’, James goes on to mention that

Cronin’s have a full range of animal handling equipment to reduce stress on livestock and the farmer, such as fencing and gates.

Another of his passions is to portray his knowledge of animal nutrition regarding correct feeds for different farm animals, at different times of the year, to achieve increases in body condition, fertility and milk yields for both beef and sheep farming. ‘With so many local farmers changing over to an organic system of farming’, says James ‘once again, Cronin’s Hardware stays abreast of latest developments by providing a full range of organic feeds and supplements.’

Many local farmers may recognise James from seeing him at their local livestock marts – where he is always on hand to proudly promote the Cronin’s brand. James is also at the forefront of their stand at various Agricultural Shows across West Cork, such as the Dunmanway Agricultural Show, the Carbery Show in Skibbereen and at their local Bantry Agricultural Show, accompanied by his colleague Stephen O’Sullivan, Cronin’s Husqvarna expert.

James finishes by saying ‘At Cronin’s Homevalue Hardware, we pride ourselves in treating our customers as we would like to be treated. In these tough times, a smile costs nothing but can make all the difference. After all, Cronin’s in Ballylickey is a local, family run business – here to help look after you and your family farm.’

Macra is an excellent outlet for young people

CARBERY Macra is hosting this year’s national Macra AGM on Saturday May 13th in the Maritime Hotel, Bantry. Three delegates from each region/county along with representatives from associate member companies, national officers and the presidential team will all travel to Bantry for the event.

Carbery Macra was set up in 1949 and held its first meeting in the old vocational school in Bandon. Over the years the region expanded and Carbery now has over 300 affiliated members. The West Cork region is spread across ten active clubs which include Ballinadee, Ballinascarthy, Barryroe, Beara, Caheragh, Clonakilty, Crossmahon-Bandon, Innishannon, Kilbrittain, and Kilmeen.

The Carbery region has a long and proud tradition of being one of the most prolific producers of Macra leaders and is currently the largest region within the organisation. Carbery Macra members are looking forward to seeing groups from across the country travel to West Cork for the AGM.

Busy organising the AGM is Gillian Moore, secretary of Carbery Macra. Gillian has been a member since 2017 and would recommend the organisation to any young person. ‘You develop personally and professionally and it takes you outside your comfort zone. I’ve got involved in a range of competitions over the years, I took up debating and last year we got to the national finals where I was awarded best debater on the night and I was also honoured to receive the volunteer of the year award last year. It’s something I probably wouldn’t have done if I hadn’t joined Macra. It’s great fun and you learn a lot.’

Macra is open to all 17-35 year olds and Gillian is keen to stress that it isn’t just for those from a farming background. ‘There was a time when Macra was more farming related, but it’s moving away from that now, it’s not just for farmers, anyone can join. There are a lot of farming members in Carbery Macra, but there’s also a lot of non-farming members in the regions, so we have a diverse range of people.’

Individual clubs meet on a monthly basis, and also attend regional meetings where all clubs in the area come together. There is a range of activities on offer which includes performing arts, public speaking, agricultural and sporting events, along with young farmers development. There’s something for everyone says Gillian. ‘It’s a huge social outlet, every week there’s something, meetings or competitions, it’s great for meeting new people and I’ve made lots of lifelong friends through Macra.’

Open to anyone between the ages of 17 and 35 – and not just those from the farming community – Macra provides important social and mental health benefits. It’s also great fun, writes Helen Riddell

‘It’s great for meeting new people and I’ve made lots of lifelong friends through Macra’ – Gillian Moore

Denise O’Driscoll (28) from Skibbereen, a clerical officer with the HSE has been a member of Macra Innishannon for six years. She joined to meet new friends and become more involved in the community. ‘Being part of Macra there are plenty of things to get involved in – farming, sports, debating or drama – there’s always something to do. I have mostly been involved in the sporting activities with football, basketball and volleyball and I have also competed in the bowling and Club Question Time at national level.’

Micheal Cullinane (26) from Rosscarbery works full time on his family’s dairy farm and is a member of Kilmeen Macra. A relatively new member, Micheal only joined last November at the instigation of a friend who brought him on a night out with Macra members. ‘I had great fun with them so I joined the next day.’ Since joining Micheal has taken up jiving classes and will be representing the Carbery division of Macra in the Mr Personality competition in April. ‘Macra gets you involved in your local community, and you get to socialise with people who have the same interests as you, it helps you to make new friends and helped me gain confidence in myself.’

Cian Brickley (27) from Courtmacsherry works as a Project Manager with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) in the Seafood Innovation Hub, Clonakilty and joined Barryroe Macra in 2017, and is currently the group’s chair. As well as gaining new friends, Cian feels Macra has given him confidence and a platform to try new things. ‘Macra has a lot to offer if you are willing to get involved but it is important to note that you get back what you put in. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get stuck in!’

Alyson Shorten, (25) from Newcestown works as an agricultural consultant and part-time farmer and is the Carbery rural youth officer and secretary of Crossmahon-Bandon Macra. She joined Macra over six years ago while studying agriculture in Darrara College. ‘At the time the majority of my friends from school had moved away for college and I was feeling a little bit lost. After joining Macra through college, the welcome I received made me feel at ease and over the years Macra has helped to build my confidence, try new things whilst getting to know lots of great people and creating strong friendships not just in Carbery but across the whole country. There really is something for everyone, and you never know you might even meet your other half just like I did!’

The AGM will be a day-long meeting where delegates will discuss and make decisions on a range of motions and recommendations. This will be followed by election of officers.

The AGM will also be attended by new Macra president, Elaine Houlihan who is the current Munster vice-president and is set to be declared the thirty-ninth president on April 5th.

Elaine from Athlacca, Co. Limerick is a physiotherapist, who comes from a beef enterprise and family run agricultural engineering business and her home club is Kilmallock Macra.

When the official business has been completed the AGM will close with a banquet and dancing to Bog the Donkey.

For anyone interested in joining Macra, check out Carbery Macra social media pages for further details.

‘Being part of Macra there are plenty of things to get involved in ... there’s always something to do’ – Denise O’Driscoll

‘Macra gets you involved in your local community, and you get to socialise with people who have the same interests as you’ – Micheal Cullinane

‘... you get back what you put in. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get stuck in!’ – Cian Brickley

‘... over the years Macra has helped to build my confidence’

– Alyson Shorten

Gordon Kingston, FRS Fencing, Cork

Mike Carroll, FRS Farm Relief Services, Cork

Who is right?

Conor Power looks at the often-misunderstood legalities in relation to members of the public accessing farmland for hunting and recreational purposes

JUST who is in the right when it comes to entering someone else’s land? The landowner or the person visiting the property? This is a question that has been vexing the good people of Ireland for a very long time.

For example, should all individuals have the right to roam through farmers’ lands unimpeded? To just wander or look at a stone fort or to go hunting rabbits? It might be reasonable but then there have to be limits set on it. It is the landowner’s private property and usually their place of business. From the landowner’s point of view, is it unreasonable for him/her to prevent everyone from crossing their land? Or if someone suffers an injury or worse on a farmer’s piece of land, is it the visitor/trespasser/recreational user’s fault entirely or should the farmer have filled in the hole they fell into or warned them about it?

The laws on the matter that were inherited from the British system left a lot open to interpretation and were ill-defined. So, in a society where the individual had an increasing amount of rights, the onus of responsibility on landowners became increasingly heavy – to such an extent that it was becoming virtually impossible for the likes of agri-tourism projects to develop. It was this set of circumstances, essentially, that pushed the Government into reforming this area of legislation with the introduction of the 1995 Occupiers’ Liability Act.

Since then, the law has been simplified and there is a much clearer definition of rights on both sides. There’s also a lot more common sense that prevails. Out went a number of unclear notions such as ‘unusual and unclear danger’, and in came just ‘danger’, for example.

In the vast majority of cases in Ireland, a person doesn’t have any automatic rights when it comes to hunting or shoot-

ing on lands. In virtually any situation, if you want to go hunting on someone’s land, you need to get their permission to do so.

Where some rights have been established, it’s usually in connection with a local organisation of long standing, such as a sporting club or hunting club. Otherwise, the law precludes hunters coming onto the land belonging to someone else. There’s no obligation on the landowner to warn any would-be hunters that killing animals on their land is not allowed either.

When it comes to hiking, it’s a different story. If you’re crossing land for purely recreational purpose and not for hunting, then the law is with you. That is to say, the law is sympathetic to you but you should still offer any landowner the courtesy of talking to them beforehand and seeking their permission. It’s only good manners and respect and it means that there are no misunderstandings.

From the landowner’s point of view, there is much to consider and much to be careful about. While most farmers will be fine with someone accidentally or intentionally going through their land now and again without causing any damage, one always has to be mindful of the possible problems that may arise.

Even when someone is trespassing on land, however, there is a twofold duty of care that a landowner must show towards the person trespassing:

Firstly, the landowner must not intentionally harm or injure the trespasser. If the landowner wants them off the land immediately, then they can show them the way out and escort them if they wish.

trespassers to a certain extent. The landowner has to be mindful of any potential hazards that may be on his/her land and they have a duty of care to ensure that there’s nothing to cause injury to any would-be intruder. All of this results in many landowners attempting to cover

this not-inconsiderable risk by putting up warning signs, such those foretelling of a dangerous animal or simple that there is a ‘danger’ inherent in entering their lands. You’ll see many of these signs at the entrance to farms and they normally quote the 1995 Occupier’s Liability Act.

CREATING AND MAINTAINING MARKED WALK WAYS

Established walking routes such as the Beara Way or The Sheep’s Head Way are the result of years of negotiation and work. The Sheep’s Head Way, for example, is a very successful model and is based on talking to all landowners and securing their agreements to allow people to walk through their lands.

The walk is closed one day every year and this is to avoid walkers establishing a legal an unalienable right of way to walk through the landowner’s land.

Insurance liability is covered by the walking association so the only potential duty that the arrangement involves on the part of the landowners is that of maintenance. Each landowner is paid an annual sum to go towards the time and cost involved in maintaining the section of the route passing through their lands and the upkeep of installations such as stiles or bridges, if any.

Occasionally, routes such as this one may have to change if the path becomes too dangerous from a hazard (such as with fallen trees on the Mount Corrin Loop) or a decision of a new landowner not to participate in the walking route anymore (such as in the case of the highest point of the Coomkeen Loop).

Secondly, the landowner must not act with ‘reckless disregard’ towards the trespasser’s safety. This is the bit that all landowners are worried about. In effect, it makes them responsible for the safety of Sheep’s Head Way.

Above: Denis Cullinane from Leap making do with his wind-battered umbrella at a wet and windy spring beef grass farm walk on the lands of James O’Sullivan, Myross, Union Hall.

Left: Taking shelter from the inclement weather during the spring beef grass farm walk on the lands of James O’Sullivan, Myross, Union Hall were Colm Rock, Tadgh Broderick and Daniel O’Connell.

(Photos: Denis Boyle)

It’s all go trying to

Tommy Moyles hears tales of Brylcreem, L’oreal hairspray, Fairy Liquid and even make-up being applied to horses and cattle in the run-up to those all-important agricultural show days

ALL around the country, livestock owners are gearing up for the forthcoming season of shows and making sure their darlings are putting their best hooves and tails forward, in a bid to steal some of the highly contested top prizes.

Sinead Barry

Sinead Barry from Rosscarbery has four horses and hopes to show the two younger ones locally this year, and go showjumping with an older one.

The younger ones will be entered in the ridden hunter classes, where exhibitors must ride their horse at four different paces – walk, trot, canter and gallop. Then a judge also rides the horse. Following this, the saddles are taken off and the horses are walked down the ring and trotted back so the judge can see them before the saddle goes on again, and they are ridden around the ring until the judge makes their decision on placing.

The Tralee show in early May is her target but the preparation work began just after Christmas.

‘I’m breaking the four-year-olds in at the moment,’ she explains. ‘As it’s moulting season now and the horses are shed-

Left: Sineád Barry with her Irish Draught horse ‘Silver Fox’, pet name ‘Charlie’. Below left: Sinead applies Brylcreem to Charlie’s mane to keep the ‘flyaway bits’ under control. Below right: Regular brushing of his coat is an important part of Charlie’s preparation for show.

(Photo: Andy Gibson)

ding their winter coat, I’m working on grooming to get the summer coat coming through. If you do the bulk of the work now there’s less to be done later on.’

There might be less work to do closer to the show, but that work is more intricate as Sinead points out. ‘Their tail and mane need grooming. and for shows you need to plait them. I use a needle and thread to plait the manes and other people use rubber bands. The bands and thread are kept similar in colour to the horse’s mane. When plaiting the mane, I use men’s Brylcreem for the flyaway bits and L’oreal Elnett hairspray to set the quarter marks on the horse’s hind legs first, before using it on my own hair then when it’s in a bun!’

Black hoof oil is used to shine the hooves. A colour-enhancing shampoo and false tails or plaits are also part of the process, and so is make-up!

‘In 2019 I showed a grey horse called The Silver Fox. He had white legs with black points at his muzzle, hocks, knees, and eyes and he had a make-up pack for each. At one stage the horse had more make-up on than I had! Covid-19 disrupted the showing scene until last year then but I had to get a whole new make-up kit for him as he had gone white since the last show in 2019.’

Washing the animals the day before and the morning of the show is common practice and the pace picks up a notch.

‘You’re up early and if all the washing and plaiting is done, then you put their rug on in case they get dirty on the way, so that you’re only touching up when you get to the show. The day before the show it’s about packing up the jeep with all you need for the horses and yourself. If it’s a

be best in show!

wet day you could be washing legs again if they’re muddy after exercising them, so we’re hoping for a dry summer like last year.’

The term ‘horses for courses’ could just as easily apply to the attire of the exhibitor, as Sinead explains. ‘The show jumping outfit is leather long boots, white jodhpurs, white shirt and navy or black jacket. For showing, then it’s long leather boots, beige jodhpurs, yellow shirt, tie, tweed jacket and a beagler hat. There’s a different bridle and saddle as well.’

Then, it’s on with the show.

Jason Helen

When it comes to cattle, picking what calf you’re going to show doesn’t just happen a few weeks before the show, as Jason Helen of Eedy Holstiens in Clonakilty explains.

‘A calf is probably about four months old before you’d know if you have a good one. It’s not necessarily the biggest one, but one that’s well-developed, with good legs and feet, top line and depth of rib,’ he says.

When the calves are selected the work starts, and two months before the show they’re put on their ‘show programme’.

‘You want to get them growing well and get their rib developed as much as possible, so they get plenty roughage like hay and straw. They’d have about 4kg of concentrate heifer nut too. They’re in a small group and that helps build up the trust when they’re being fed one-to-one,’ Jason explains.

After a while the calves are then trained to the halter and are led to get their walking right and hold their head up right. ‘Initially they are tied up at a comfortable height for about twenty minutes for three or four days.’

After that you can start walking them for five or ten minutes most days if possible, and then you give them a wash to get their coat in show condition. ‘We use warm water and Fairy Liquid initially and once they’re rinsed, they get a skin and hair conditioner called Revive sprayed on.’

A month before the show they get a pre-clip so any rough hair is removed. ‘Then it grows back nicely,’ says Jason. ‘Pre-show, we wash them every day for four or five days to make sure their coat is in really good condition. Then two to three days ahead of the show, you’d give them a full clip all over. The calves really enjoy the extra brushing!’

On the day of the show, the cattle are washed that morning and are kept clean on a straw bed. ‘We’d always try and make

sure they’re well fed and content ahead of the show, because it helps settle any nerves. About 20 minutes before they go into the ring, you brush all the dust off them and shine them up. That’s when we put on a black leather halter on them.’

With all the last-minute checking done, it’s a case of fingers crossed as the judges make their choices.

ON THE CATWALK! Show cow ‘Sara’ struts her stuff while getting used to wearing a halter, under the guidance of her owner Jason Helen of Eedy Holsteins, Knockskeagh near Clonakilty.

(Photos: Andy Gibson)

Jason washes his show cattle each day for four or five days prior to a competition to ensure their coats are in top conditions.

PHYSIOLITH

West Cork Farming Awards

A new approach for 2023, building on the success of the last eight years

THE West Cork Farming awards celebrate the wonderful people, families, businesses and organisations involved in farming throughout West Cork. These awards run by The Southern Star and The Celtic Ross Hotel shine a ‘spotlight’ on a diverse range of examples of outstanding achievements and contributions to West Cork farming and agriculture from farmers, families, individuals, agri-businesses,

The new format will work as follows:

farming organisations, entrepreneurs and innovators across our region.

The awards are enormously popular amongst readers of The Southern Star and visitors to southernstar.ie and our social media. We receive fantastic feedback every year from finalists, winners, sponsors, farmers, agri-industry representatives and readers.

Building on the local goodwill that exists for the West Cork Farming Awards we felt the time was right to introduce a new format for the 2023 awards process. The high quality of winners, marketing of the awards, gala awards lunch at The Celtic Ross Hotel and levels of publicity over eight months will remain the same as ever.

THE NEW AWARDS FORMAT

• an awards panel comprising Southern Star and agricultural industry representatives will choose six ‘West Cork Farming’ monthly award winners who will be recognised for their outstanding contribution to the farming sector in our region

each monthly winner will be profiled in The Southern Star newspaper and across our digital platforms along with the announcement of six monthly winners, the panel will also choose ‘Hall of Fame’ and ‘Farm Family of the year’ award winners

all award winners will be invited to a gala awards lunch held at The Celtic Ross Hotel at the end of 2023, where they will be presented with a trophy and certificate and the chance to be crowned winner of the Overall West Cork Farming Award 2023.

We look forward to announcing the 2023 West Cork Farming Award monthly winners. If you would like to nominate someone to be considered for a monthly farming award, please contact us by email on awards@southernstar.ie or call 028 21200.

Thank you to our sponsors

Thank you to last year’s sponsors, many of whom have supported the awards for several years.

HEADLINE SPONSOR

SERVICE

•

GEA Farm Technologies Cork | Locations : Clonakility, Bandon, Ballincollig Call Eugene in Ballincollig office - 0860125518 | See us on Facebook – GEA Farming Ireland.

Above: Alan Jagoe (right), chairman of Agri Aware, with Karen O’Connell, vice-principal Teagasc Agricultural College, Clonakilty and Ciaran O’Sullivan, Dairymaster, at the Agri Aware Farm Walk and Talk in Clonakilty recently.

Left: Robyn O’Donovan, Minanebridge, Damien O’Brien, Dunderrow and Michael Crowley, Ballinhassig with Caroline Burke, Teagasc, at a recent careers open day in Clonakilty Agricultural College. (O’Gorman Photography)

SPONSORED CONTENT

Outlook for 2023- volatility back on the table- BOI ready to support

If 2022 has taught us anything it is that price volatility is firmly back on the table across the main global commodities. Against a backdrop of slower global economic growth, high inflation, higher interest rates and monetary policy tightening, Irish farmers are coming into 2023 in a strong state, with solid margins, positive cashflows and strengthened balance sheets. Higher input costs are somewhat baked into farms for the first half

of 2023. The evolution of the war in Ukraine and weather will be key determinants as to price levels across key inputs such as fertiliser and feed in 2023. The outlook for agri commodities such as dairy and grain is weaker than it was 12 months ago with overall farm gate prices expected to decline in 2023 - but still remain above pre-pandemic levels. Given the increased focus on the environmental footprint of farms, the sector has a significant

challenge ahead. At Bank of Ireland we are ready to support farmers through initiatives such as improved nutrient management, regenerative farming, forestry, organic farming and investing in renewable energy technologies such as Anaerobic Digestion. All of which will provide an opportunity for farmers who wish to consider additional income sources while also contributing significantly to decarbonising the food and energy system.

John Fitzgerald Agri Manager Munster Bank of Ireland

ICMSA claims Tams hopelessly below real constructions cost

SPEAKING after a recent meeting with senior officials of the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine to discuss the terms and conditions of Tams 3 (Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes), the Deputy President of ICMSA, Denis Drennan, said that this latest attempt to target grants at modernising farm plants, infrastructure and machinery was giving rise to more questions than it was providing answers.

‘It’s just practically impossible to work out what is going on around the issue of costings. We have to start on the basis that the Department must know that the rates under Tams 2 were hopelessly adrift of the actual prices. If we proceed from that point and we accept that the Department was genuine in its efforts to reconnect the costings in Tams some way towards the actual prices of construction materials, then we have to ask why we see the increases under a majority of headings going up by 12% when the actual inflation to be applied to these materials from the figures in Tams 2 would have been well in excess of that. ICMSA asks again: if the Department is going to revise the costings to make Tams meaningful and re-energise it, then would they not at least have taken this opportunity to make the costings someway realistic? Why would you look at these figures and still leave them so obviously short of the real costs?’ asked Mr Drennan.

He said the approach to dairy equipment was even more puzzling and pointless. ‘Where Tams 3 does make some attempt, its costings are still double-digits short of the actual costs – but at least some increase is being acknowledged. But under no less than 10 of the 15 various

items under dairy equipment, we see no increase at all – absolutely nothing. So, the sector with the greatest focus on sustainability has had grants towards that end actually cut – because where inflation has run at the rates we’ve seen and grants ‘stand still’ then it amounts to a cut in real terms.

‘ICMSA won’t be the only organisation and body that find this approach quite astonishingly negative and short-sighted. Family dairy farms have, yet again, been singled out by the Department to have the “screws turned on them” and rather than helping that sector towards the sustainability it claims to seek, the Department has chosen to cut that sector – the “flagship” export earner – adrift and hinder rather than help.’ said Mr Drennan.

‘We get no satisfaction from observing this, but the fact is that Tams 3 is outof-date already in the first few weeks of launch. A huge opportunity will be missed and the responsibility for that failure lies, I regret to say, squarely at the feet of the Department who came halfway to the mark under some headings and didn’t even try to come under other even more important headings,’ said Mr Drennan.

Mr. Drennan, who also chairs the Association’s Farm & Rural Affairs Committee, said that genuine puzzlement would also focus on the length and timing the tranches and he specifically identified the slurry storage option which was so delayed that it would be impossible to get any work done under this heading this year.

‘There’s a real frustration around the timing of this tranche: it’s been “pushed out” to the extent that successful farmers will end up looking for a contractor in

September to start doing this work just as the days get shorter and the conditions get worse. Surely this should have been brought forward so that at least the farmers were approaching contractors in June, and we were giving ourselves a chance to have the work done in optimum conditions? The timing and sequencing of this hugely important work that goes right to

the heart of the drive to sustainability just seems perverse and obstructive.’

He concluded by asking the Department to ‘look again’ at the Women In Agriculture scheme due to open at the end of May and really make an effort to cut through any red tape that might work against women farmers accessing the scheme.

Teagasc suckler breeding farm walks

TEAGASC and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation are running 16 Suckler Breeding Farm Walks across the country over the coming weeks.

With the new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) launched this week by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) these farm walks will be focusing on the main requirements suckler farmers will be expected to meet to maximise their payments, and the key breeding technologies that will help to achieve them.

All of the farm walks are taking place on commercial suckler farms that are already achieving a very high breeding performance from their herds. A number of them are Signpost Demonstration Farms who are participating in the Teagasc FutureBeef programme.

Teagasc beef specialists and advisors, along with ICBF technical staff, will be available to discuss with farmers the most suitable options for breeding future replacement heifers for their herds.

Under the new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), farmers must become a member of Bord Bia’s SBLAS (Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme) by October 16th, 2023, and maintain membership throughout their SCEP contract term. This means for the duration of the five-year programme.

Bord Bia staff will be available at all of the breeding walks to discuss with farmers

who may not currently be in SBLAS, how they can apply to join it and the key requirements to gain entry.

With an increasing interest among suckler farmers in using more AI in their herds there will also be a focus at these walks on synchronisation options for cows and heifers, as well as information on how sexed semen may be of benefit to suckler herds. Farmers will have the opportunity to discuss beef bulls available through AI in 2023, along with the new sensor technologies to aid heat detection that are now on the market with the staff from various companies.

Pearse Kelly, Head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc said: ‘The new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme launched this week will be a welcome boost for suckler farmer incomes across the country. Some of the conditions of the programme will require changes to be made in the breeding strategies on some farms. These farm walks are an ideal opportunity for farmers to see suckler herds that are hitting all of their breeding targets, and to discuss with a wide variety of experts how they can meet the requirements of the SCEP on their own farms.’

A full list of all of the farm walks, including the date and time they are on at, can be got at https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/events/. Farmers and all interested are welcome to attend.

ICMSA deputy president Denis Drennan.

Solar technology on farms is key to climate goals

THE Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently published its report on solar energy and the agricultural industry in which it makes a series of recommendations and observations following examination of the issue.

Launching the report, committee cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: ‘The Climate Action Plan sets a goal of increasing “the proportion of renewable electricity to up to 80% by 2030”, key aspects of which relate to microgeneration. The adoption and deployment of solar technology on farms has been identified as a key element in meeting these targets given its potential to offset input costs and act as a revenue generator, enhancing

family farm incomes.’

Deputy Cahill added: ‘The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 sets a target of reducing emissions by 51% against 2018 levels, while a sectoral ceiling of 25% has been set specifically for the agricultural sector.’

Continuing, he said: Though the benefits of adopting renewal energy on farms will largely be attributed to the energy sector in terms of sectoral accounting, it is an area where farmers can play a positive role and have an important impact, in line with the AgClimatise target of achieving a 20 per cent reduction in agricultural energy use and generating at least 20%

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT INCLUDE:

1. The Committee recommends that it should be a target of government to ensure that that every appropriate farm building has solar panels installed in support of our 2030 emission reduction targets. Further, the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Environment, Climate and Communications should be charged with developing a comprehensive strategy to meet this goal.

2. The Committee recommends that the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Environment, Climate and Communications should enter into dialogues with electricity companies and financial institutions with a view to identify whether a scheme can be devised whereby all upfront costs in relation to the installation of Solar PV on farm buildings can be offset and repayable either through low-interest loans or via a tariff on the excess electricity generated and sold to the national grid.

3. The Committee believes that a complex regulatory framework and disparate departmental responsibility over aspects of on-farm solar relating to regulation, microgeneration, and supports has resulted in a lack of transparency in relation to levels of adoption and the success of overall government policy in achieving such. The Committee recommends that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine establish and co-ordinate a cross-departmental One-Stop-Shop to:

• inform and encourage farmers as to opportunities to adopt solar energy technology at all scales

• collate related data

• adopt a solar energy target specific to the agricultural sector

• report to government on the progress of its work.

4. The Committee recommends that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage proceed as a matter of urgency regarding proposals to exempt solar panels on farm buildings from requiring planning permission, with a view to enacting an exemption without delay.

5. The Committee recommends that the SEAI establish a dedicated scheme in support of farmers adopting solar technology.

6. The Committee is concerned that a consultation paper in relation to the development of private networks/direct lines which was due in Q1 of 2022 remains unpublished. The Committee recommends this be published as a matter of priority, and that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications provide the Committee with an indicative timeline of their intention to introduce reforms in this area, and provide for direct line connections.

deployment of renewable energy technologies.’

Report rapporteur Deputy Matt Carthy said: ‘Family farmers across this State currently face a series of challenges. While these challenges have the potential to place additional negative pressures on family farm incomes (FFI), the adoption of on-farm solar energy production technology presents an opportunity to both enhance FFIs and contribute positively to Irelands emission reduction obligations.’

Deputy Carthy added: ‘This report outlines the key areas where reform is required to incentivise and deliver widespread adoption, with a primary focus on ensuring that the regulatory process is as

streamlined and minimalistic as possible; that farmers are able to fully take part in all micro-generation schemes and maximise their returns; and that the taxation regime be optimised to incentivise investment and adoption today’.

‘The Committee believes that by adopting the recommendations of this report, government can best encourage widespread adoption and the production of renewable energy for generations to come, while at the same time improving FFIs and increasing the viability of our family farms.’

Read the full report on Oireachtas.ie

7. The Committee recommends that the Departments of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and Environment, Climate & Communications consider the establishment of a new dedicated scheme to provide for battery or alternative storage measures in the case of Solar PV installed on agricultural buildings.

8. The Committee recommends that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications examine the potential of delivering a mechanism whereby farmers are able to store excess electricity generated through the national grid, receiving a comparative amount of energy or credit in return as needed.

9. The Committee recommends that the Department of Finance conduct an appraisal as to the performance of the 50 per cent limit on total land area used for the installation of solar panels limit with regard to CAT relief. The Committee further recommends that specific consideration is given to the manner in which land area is calculated, and that the existing framework in relation to the Basic Payment Scheme would provide a suitable alternative cognisant of the Department of Finance’s concerns as to ensuring that the relief remains available only to active farmers.

10. The Committee notes that supports under the MSS are intended to gradually reduce over time from 2024 based on reaching specific deployment milestones, with supports for new installations being phased out from 2028. The Committee recommends that the VAT on such products be reviewed in the intervening period.

MAIN DEALER

vaughanandsons.ie

Kilnamartyra, Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland. P12RT73

info@vaughanandsons.ie

Office: +353 (0)26 40024

Fax: +353 (0)26 40279

Tommy: +353 (0)86 2445895

James: +353 (0)87 2685625

Coppeen 023-8822833

087 352 3020 declan.sexton@breedongroup.com 087 6281214 087 2845207

www.breedongroup.com

Meeting on marine sustainability

THE Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) met recently with representatives of Irish Environmental NGOs focused on marine sustainability, to discuss a range of issues related to safeguarding and enhancing Ireland’s marine environment and resources.

The meeting is part of an ongoing process of engagement by the SFPA to share best practice, knowledge, and latest developments in relation to strategic initiatives as part of their regulatory remit to ensure compliance with the EU Common Fish-

eries Policy, sea-fisheries law, and food safety law with all relevant stakeholders. During a wide-ranging and productive meeting, the SFPA updated on its regulatory remit and the various strands of Irish and European legislation covering the sector.

Discussions focused on the new sea-fisheries control plan, the potential for remote electronic monitoring, the shellfish vlassification programme and monthly water sampling programmes undertaken with industry.

Dairy prices have continued to weaken

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority’s (SFPA) head office in Clonakilty, at a meeting between the SFPA and representatives of environmental NGOs were (from left): Sarah Buckley, executive manager, food and fisheries support, SFPA; Susan Coughlan, executive manager, operations, SFPA; Padraig Whooley; Michael Finn, senior executive manager, authority member, SFPA; Paschal Hayes, executive chairperson, SFPA; Jonathan Hoare, senior executive manager, authority member, SFPA; Bernie Connolly; Pádraic Fogarty; Karin Dubsky ; Dolf deHondt; Olive Loughnane, senior executive manager, director of transformation, SFPA and Sean Daly, executive manager, operations, SFPA.

DAIRYGOLD has reduced its milk price for February by 6.0cpl to 46.0cpl, based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat, inclusive of sustainability and quality bonuses and Vat. Its February early calving bonus of 2.10cpl will be paid on milk supplied in February in accordance with milk quality criteria. A company spokesperson said: ‘Dairy market prices have continued to weaken

Clinics to help with applications

THE Department of Agriculture has announced dates for in person clinics and public meetings in West Cork to assist farmers in making applications for Cap related schemes.

They are also designed to help farmers in making their applications online for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes and the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP).

The dates for west Cork are as follows: Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes will be held at the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen on April 18th, from 10am to 4pm and

in the Parkway Hotel Dunmanway on April 19th from noon to 7pm followed by a public meeting from 8pm to 10pm.

A public information meeting on the new SCEP will be held at the Westlodge Hotel in Bantry on April 18th April at 8pm. However, department officials will be available from 6pm.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has also just announced the opening of the €265m suckler and beef schemes. Information can be found on www.agfood. ie with a closing date of May 2nd for the dairy beef scheme and May 22nd for the SCEP.

due to increased global milk supplies and reduced demand driven by inflationary pressures.

The outlook for market returns is still uncertain but Dairygold will continue to maximise the returns from dairy ingredients to pay milk suppliers. The Dairygold Board will continue to monitor markets closely and review milk price on a month by month basis.’

At Pearson Milking Technology we have been developing milking systems in Athy, Co. Kildare since 1948. That's over 75 years of innovation, dedication and service!

We manufacture conventional, rapid exit and rotary parlours, feeding systems, herd management, fertility and health monitoring and drafting systems.

For all your enquiries in West Cork contact McCarthy Dairy Services. Established in 2018, McCarthy Dairy Services has been maintaining and servicing dairy farm equipment for farmers across West Cork, with

to improved milk quality and less break-downs. We offer a complete service to our customers, including parlours, feeding, health & fertility,

Pearson Milking Systems we can offer solutions from full new parlours to equipment upgrades.

For sales and service enquiries contact Colm McCarthy at 086 8241265

mccarthydairyservices.ie | pearsonmilking.com

National liming programme open for applications

Warning of impact of nitrates reduction

A DELEGATION from Cork IFA highlighted the implications of a reduction in nitrates derogation when they met with Senator Tim Lombard recently.

‘This doesn’t just impact farmers, it has a knock-on impact on the wider community and the rural economy,’ said the FG senator. ‘Agriculture is a multi-billion euro industry and a major driver of the food industry. Any change to the derogation poses a real risk to the family farm

model that we are proud of here in West Cork.’ Sen Lombard, a dairy farmer himself, said stakeholders have demonstrated a willingness to make changes and adopt measures to protect water quality.

‘Programmes like the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) also demonstrate that a targeted approach can be more effective in delivering improvements than a blanket regulatory approach,’ he said.

IN response to the price increases in input costs an €8m national liming programme has been launched by the government.

The National Liming Programme was an initiative secured by Minister for Agriculture McConalogue as part of Budget 2023 with the aim of assisting farmers to deal with input costs and help them reduce the need for artificial fertilisers.

High annual rainfall along with crop and livestock production can remove lime from our soils.

Results from the Teagasc Soil Fertility Report in 2022 indicate that while soil fertility nationally has improved it is still estimated that up to 57% of Irish soils require lime.

‘This is an innovative programme which will provide a financial contribution to participating farmers of €16

per tonne of calcium ground limestone/ magnesium ground limestone applied. Teagasc trial work shows that liming not only increases soil microbial activity but can also unlock soil phosphorous (P) and potassium (K).

‘Research has also indicated that increasing soil pH to optimum levels leads to a significant reduction in Nitrous Oxide (N2O) emissions while simultaneously increasing grass and other crop yields. Reducing our fertiliser use by ensuring correct PH in our soils is positive both from a climate and water perspective, but also makes sound economic sense for farmers,’ said the minister.

Farmers wishing to apply for the Liming Programme should apply through www.agfood.ie by the closing date April 20th.

In Bandon at a meeting of West Cork IFA with Sen Tim Lombard (FG) Seanad spokesperson on Agriculture was Ger Lehane, IFA dairy representative, JJ Heartnett, Cork executive, John Beechinor, environmental committee; Harold Kingston, Munster chair IFA; Donal O’Donovan, West Cork IFA chair; Tim Lombard and Maura McCarthy, national farm buisiness committee. (Photo: Denis Boyle)

President of the Agricultural Consultants Association, Noel Feeney and general secretary Breian Carroll with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue at the association’s recent AGM at which farmers’ role in tackling climate change was high on the agenda. (Photo: Finbarr O’Rourke/forphoto.ie)

•Grant Applications.

Grant Applications

•Afforestation, Roads, Felling and Thinning Licences.

•Forest Management & Plantation Maintenance.

- Afforestation, Roads, Felling & Thinning licences

•Harvesting • Thinning & Clear • Felling • Replanting.

The Forest Owners Co-operative is one of Vision owned by Farm Forest Owners

Soil Testing

Ash Dieback leading advisers

Pod Group Training & Information

It Embraces Knowledge Transfer Information, Field Workshops, Young Farmer Induction Programme and European Research, Policy and Exchange Initiatives.

Embrace the Future with Forestry

Forest Inspection

Forest Management Plan

www.focs.ie

FOCS – Leaders in Forest Management & Environment practice.

Plantation Maintenance

Harvesting

BE PART OF A PROGRESSIVE FORESTRY & ENVIRONMENT CO-OP

Thinning & Clear felling

Replanting

Call Today: M. 0863435164

Email: forestry@focs.ie

Advice INFO-Clinics on CARBON

ADVERTORIAL

Levi and Naythan Ngulube Halliday, Skibbereen enjoying the tractors at Skibbereen Mart last Sunday afternoon where a tractor run was based in memory of Ricky Barrett from Drimoleague.

(Photo: Anne Minihane)

Your Association. Your Voice.

Invaluable Representation, Services and Benefits.

Effective Representation and Defence of Farmer’s Interests at home, in Europe and Internationally

Access to Expertise and Advice on Individual Issues

Helplines: Direct Payments and Inspections, Debt Support Service and Legal Advice

12 Local Offices to help you with any local issue or query

IFA Telecom – Competitive broadband and home phone bundles.

IFA Employment Service: ensuring your compliance as an employer

Other IFA Memberships also available including Countryside and Family

Prices, news and weather updates

- IFA app & Twitter: @IFAmedia

Personal accident cover

€85 Off with FBD on Motor, House or Farm Insurance

Up to 17% Off all Vodafone Mobile Packages

20% off and €120 cash back with Bord Gáis electricity

Discounted Breaks with Original Irish Hotels

To join today contact our membership department on 1800 236 236 or visit www.ifa.ie

Teagasc Signpost webinar series reaches 150th milestone

ON the 150th edition of the Teagasc Signpost webinar series, Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc outlined the technology pathway that Irish agriculture and Irish farmers should follow to achieve the required reductions in Greenhouse gas emissions, and the steps to take to sequester more carbon from the atmosphere.

Professor O’Mara spoke about the Teagasc Climate Action Strategy which the organisation is pursuing to put the three key pillars in place to assist the sector in making the journey towards a 25% reduction in emissions. He provided an update on the Signpost Advisory Programme and the staff resources being put in place with the aim of delivering 50,000 plans for farmers by 2030. He spoke about the development of a Sustainability Digital Platform, in partnership with ICBF and Bord Bia, to provide farmers with an indication of the climate performance of their farm business. The third pillar which involves a Virtual Climate Research Centre, is bringing together the combined resources of Teagasc to develop the mitigation technologies of the future which will be required to further reduce the footprint of the sector.

Professor O’Mara’s presentation marked the 150th edition of the Teagasc Weekly Environment Webinar Series, the Signposts series, which takes place weekly every Friday morning at 9.30am.

The Signpost Series is presented in association with Dairy Sustainability Ireland, Food Drink Ireland Skillnet and the National Rural Network.

To date the series has gone from strength to strength

and has broadcast weekly episodes covering topics such as climate change, biodiversity, soil health, nutrient management and water quality.

The series has attracted a total audience to date of 50,871 viewers with some weekly attendances in excess of 400. Recordings and podcasts of all the webinars are available on the Teagasc website at https://www.teagasc. ie/environment/climate-change--air-quality/the-signpost-series-webinars/.

Pat Murphy, Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc said; ‘The series has attracted audiences from across all sectors in Ireland together with a large international following. It has showcased the practical tangible steps being taken by farmers, advisors, researchers, policy makers and industry to maintain and improve the natural environment in which the agriculture and food sector operates.’

Mark Gibson, Head of KT Outreach and Innovation Department, Teagasc said: ‘The Friday morning Signposts series was one of the first Teagasc responses  to find new ways of transferring knowledge to people in the sector, in the wake of the upheaval caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. I would like to thank our partners, presenters and facilitators and of course our many viewers and listeners over the last 3 years.’

To stay up to date with the latest policy, research and practice on Farm Sustainability, register for free at www. teagasc.ie/sustainableagriculture and tune in every Friday morning at 9.30am to 10.30am.

Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc

Mark, Orla, Sofia and Noah Lee at the Ricky Barrett Memorial Tractor Run in Skibbereen on Sunday, March 26th.

(Photo: Anne Minihane)

Ger McCarthy with a new arrival on his farm at the Old Head of Kinsale.

(Photo: Denis Boyle)