Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD, has announced that, following extensive consultation with cross sectoral stakeholders, the decision has been taken to move forward with the introduction of mandatory electronic identification in the cattle herd.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today announced the introduction of regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring flock keepers to apply particular bio-security measures for poultry and other captive birds as a precautionary measure against Avian Influenza, as well as a ban on the assembly of birds. These Regulations provide for precautionary measures against avian influenza (bird flu).

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (with responsibility for Farm Safety), Martin Heydon T.D. and Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority, Dr Sharon McGuinness, today jointly launched an on-line Tractor Safety Awareness Training Course, in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Journal. 

The Minister stated, “As we approach Friday’s consultation deadline, it is important for farmers and wider agri-food sector to submit their views. The Ag-Climatise roadmap will become a very important policy document for our sector over the coming years and beyond. It is important that everybody has their say. We need all stakeholders and farmers fully engaged if we are to be successful in making the changes that are required.”

The Minister stated, “As we approach Friday’s consultation deadline, it is important for farmers and wider agri-food sector to submit their views. The Ag-Climatise roadmap will become a very important policy document for our sector over the coming years and beyond. It is important that everybody has their say. We need all stakeholders and farmers fully engaged if we are to be successful in making the changes that are required.”

Against the background of Brexit uncertainly and the overarching requirement for a prudent budget in 2020, expenditure next year will amount to:

• €103m for the Forestry Programme, 
• €6m in capital investment for the commercial horticulture sector,
• €16.8m for Bord na gCon,
• €12m is being provided for the Organic Farming Scheme and a further €1.2m for development of the Organic Sector.

Forestry €103m

Minister Doyle welcomed the continuation of support for the development of forestry in Ireland with the allocation of €103m (including a capital carryover) for 2020.  

Minister Doyle stated, “this allocation reflects our commitment to planting 8,000 hectares in 2020, an ambitious target contained in the Climate Action Plan. This level of planting will be challenging and will require shared action from the private sector, public bodies and local communities but this Government is committed to achieving it. This budget also provides funding for the direct implementation of a number of other actions under the Climate Action Plan including the mobilisation of the private timber resource in Ireland, a substantial investment in forest roads, continued support for knowledge transfer groups and the promotion of timber products.’’

Demand for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems has spiked in the last few years as concerns around climate change grow and customers seek reliable, affordable solutions to help offset ever-rising energy costs.

TC Renewables Ltd said this, the experts in wind and solar PV power solutions for households, businesses and farms.

Solar PV systems are today a reliable and cost-effective solution for generating renewable electricity, with surplus energy stored in batteries for later use or directed towards heating water.

Dependable Supply of Renewable Electricity

Solar PV is a well-proven technology that converts sunlight into electricity.  Made of tempered glass these systems last for up to 30 years and can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Incredibly durable, solar PV systems are very reliable with very predictable generation over the year and, with no moving parts, there are little maintenance costs.

With attractive government grants and tax write offs available to encourage installation, and finance offered by professional companies like TC renewables, solar PV solutions are affordable and one of the best investments to improve sustainability and reduce exposure to ever rising energy bills.

Legal Requirement

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, places a legal duty on employers to prepare and work to a safety statement, However, farmers with 3 or less employees will be able to fulfil their statutory duty under the 2005 Act simply by completing a Risk Assessment Document.

Minister of State for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle T.D., with responsibility for forestry, today launched Ireland’s Tree Volume Calculator. This calculator has been developed to allow forest owners and managers to estimate tree volume online, using basic tree information for the main conifer and broadleaf tree species. Tree volume is an important unit of measurement as it details the size of a tree, which can be used to inform forest management decisions.  It will also assist in determining the value of a tree or forest.

1. 1.SOIL TESTING  

• Provides you with vital information about your soils
• • A foundation for your fertilizer plan
• • A small farm expense costing in the region of €1.25/ha/yr and is valid for 5 years
•  • A standard soil test will give the soils fertility status as follows; pH, lime requirement, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

1. 2.SOIL PH & LIME

• Lime improves the availability of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium and Magnesium

• Lime at least every 5 years

• Ground limestone can be spread at any time

• Apply lime as per soil test report. Avoid over-liming as it can result in trace element imbalances.

Leatherjackets are the larvae of Crane flies (Daddy Longlegs). They are soil living larvae with a thick grey-brown skin, no legs and can grow up to 5cm in length. 

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine advises farmers in relation to the predicted risk of infection in livestock based on the advice received from the Nematodirus Advisory Group.

We have a range of quality grass seeds to meet your requirements. We suppliers for the Diamond Lea range of grass seed which offer seed types suitable for grazing, silage or for wet land.

We have a range of Grass Seeds now in stock.

Special Offer on all Mineral Lick Blocks for February

All mineral lick blocks are now €30 including next day delivery nationwide.