Grassroots Farm Magazine Summer 2016

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MAGAZINE

75th Anniversary

Virginia Show WED 24TH AUG 2016 FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY!

SEE PAGE 32

INSIDE JOHN DEERE @ 50, BEEF & DAIRY MARKETS, DAIRY CRISIS RESPONSIBILITY, SUMMER SHOWS

CONTENTS

WELCOME

NEWS 03 Joe Healy 05 News SILAGE/ FORAGE CROPS 07 Silage 09 Forage Basics TILLAGE 10 News/Danny Healy-Rae DAIRY 12 14 15 16

Responsibility Pat Kent IHFA Jersey

BEEF 19 Suckler Rearing 20 Beef Market SHEEP 20 External Parasite Control

PAGE 21: John Deere Special.

John Deere Limited celebrates its 50th anniversary in the UK and Ireland in 2016.

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elcome to Grassroots Farm Magazine, our summer edition. It’s a busy time as the country hums but we take a look at some shows to enjoy over the summer season.

It’s promised to be an excellent summer weatherise and we talk to someone who might know, Danny Healy-Rae. European Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan shook us all up with the following comment “Dairy farmers must take their responsibility for the continuing increase in production which, given current market conditions, is simply not sustainable” It made us examine how we got to this position. The responsibility needs to be shared across all sides including politicians, state agencies and financial institutions.

While the Russian embargo looks set to stay in place, we talk to key figures on the markets and their views on current issues.

We speak with newly elected IFA President, Joe Healy, on the task facing him. He speaks about current trade deals, brexit and other

factors effecting Irish farms.

Patrick Kent speaks frankly about the push towards new entrant dairying and the unrealistic figures that encouraged them while beef farmers struggled to secure finances.

We go green on the machinery side as we focus on the latest John Deere developments as they turn 50 in UK and Ireland.

We have veterinary advise on the successful suckler replacement heifer rearing and getting that vital strategy in place.

If you want us to cover any issue or story, please feel free to contact us through any means of contact shown on this page. We will be delighted to hear from you.

This publication comes to you free due to our advertisers. I want to take this time to encourage you to support them and mention love from Grassroots Farm.

Now please take time from your busy schedule to sit back and enjoy Grassroots Farm.

Until next time, Jason Webb, Editor

COMPETITION

Tullamore Show Tickets and Lunch Competition See Cover Strip for Details.

FACEBOOK.COM/GRASSROOTSFARMMAG GRASSROOTS FARM NEEDS YOU! Please send us any stories, images or anything else that you might consider of interest to us: editorgrassroots@gmail.com 02 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

MACHINERY 21 John Deere@50 26 News 27 Grass & Muck 28 Contractor Profile MACRA 31 Young Farmers 32 Impromptu Debate SHOWS 32 Virginia 34 Tullamore 36 Cork 37 Charleville AGRI-BUSINESS 38 Brexit CORRESPONDENCE Grassroots Media Ltd, Ballinoe Hse, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork.

EDITORIAL Editor: Jason Webb Email: editorgrassroots@gmail.com Tweets: twitter.com/Ed_GrassRoots Friend: facebook.com/ed.grassroots

CONTRIBUTORS Eoin McCarthy Dr Mary McEvoy Mairead O’Grady Michael O’Grady

ADVERTISING Eoin McCarthy 086 170 160 9 eoingrassroots@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Brendan Gleeson Eoin McCarthy Peter Mooney Bob Nichols Jason Webb and Flickr (cc)

Linda Egan 086 468 4411 advertgrassroots@gmail.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANT William Wills 086 466 4488

PUBLISHER Grassroots Media Ltd. NEXT ISSUE OUT September 2016

MAGAZINE DESIGN Patrick Browne Design 086 831 9322

Grassroots Magazine is published by Grassroots Media Ltd, Ballinoe Hse, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork. Tel 086 3871172 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any shape or form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocoping or otherwise without written permission of the publishers, Grassroots Media Ltd. Whilst every care is taken of submitted MSS, photographs, drawings and content, no responsibility can be accepted for their loss or damage.

Grassroots Media Ltd does not accept responsibility for the quality or content of advertisements or articles supplied by, or compiled under instruction from a third party. Grassroots Media Ltd does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by opinion, tips and advice giving in this publication.

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In addition, while every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained in Grassroots Magazine, we do not accept responsibility for any errors or matters arising same.

Copyright Grassroots Media Ltd

NEWS

HEALY BEEFING UP IFA “We can’t take our eye off the ball we need to ensure that any movement on TTIP that agriculture European agriculture and Irish agriculture is not see as a sacrificial lamb for the sake of getting more industry, services, banking, cars because on that side of it there is the feeling that what we would be giving away is very measurable, but what we would be taking in is aspiration for the want of a better word”

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n the 19th April 2016 Galway man Joe Healy was elected 15th President of the Irish Famers Association following a victory with 14,122 first preference votes.

Since his election Mr. Healy has brought new energy into the role and has been proactive in highlighting the many issues affecting Irish farmers.

Eoin McCarthy of Grassroots Farm Magazine spoke with IFA President Joe Healy discussing issues from the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal, beef prices and his plans as IFA President.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL Newly elected IFA President Joe Healy has acknowledged Commissioner Phil Hogan’s work on the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal and praised him for working with EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom to get beef removed as a sensitive product from the draft offer that Commissioner Malstrom had on the table.

Within days of being elected IFA President Joe Healy travelled to Brussel to discuss with Commission Hogan and his advisers the “absolute devastation” the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal would bring to this country.

He highlighted the potential gain for Mercosur countries to further increase their market share of the EUs high value steak cuts market under the terms of this proposed trade deal.

Mr Healy said “to put it in context the Mercosur countries already have TRQ (tariff rate quota) for beef into the EU for 226,000 tonnes. 80 per cent of that or just over 180,000 tonnes is high end steaks cuts so the 78,000 tonnes that EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom had in this new deal of extra TRQ beef, with half of that being the high value steak cuts again, so that would bring the Mercosur countries up to a total of TRQ for the high value steak cuts to 220,000 tonnes into the EU and that would represent 37% of the total 600,000 tonnes market that’s in the EU for high value cuts” Although Joe Healy stated that it’s great to have beef removed at the moment, he also indicated that it could be brought back at any given time.

He indicated that Commissioner Hogan “is in a position to keep an eye on that and to make sure that the good work he has done in removing it from the deal won’t be undone by beef being put back on the table again at a later stage. As it stands at the moment we are reasonable happy with what’s there in Mercosur”.

“Sacrificial Lamb” Joe Healy highlighted the threat that proposed trade deals pose to European agriculture and that proposed trade deals such as the EU-Mercosur trade deal or TTIP – a proposed trade deal between the European Union and the United States (the Transatlantic trade and investment partnership) should not be implemented at the expense of European agriculture.

He claimed that “we can’t take our eye off the ball we need to ensure that any movement on TTIP that agriculture European agriculture and Irish agriculture is not seen as a sacrificial lamb for the sake of getting more industry, services, banking, cars because on that side of it there is the feeling that what we would be giving away is very measurable, but what we would be taking in is aspiration for the want of a better word”.

BEEF FOURM If you’re looking at the suckler cow to beef farmer, the single farm payment equated to 151 per cent of the average farm income on those farms. IFA President Joe Healy has criticised the meat factories for failing to implement consistent standards regarding their method of payment to beef farmers especially in relation to weight penalties.

Joe Healy highlighted the fact that as beef cattle supplies reduced, the controversial topic of weight penalties are no longer an issue. He claimed that “we see at the moment where cattle numbers have reduced the weight limits aren’t near as much of an issue as they were in the past. What we want is consistency because it is very difficult to build an industry where there are inconsistencies” He urged meat processors to ensure consistency in the future regarding imposing weight penalties or else pay a respectable premium for the animal that kills out below the weight that they are satisfied with which to date has been 420 kilos.

“I would urge the beef factories to ensure that there is consistency going forward or else to pay a respectable premium amount for the animal that kills out below the weight that the factory say that they need and that weight for the past while has been 420 kilos, but as I said cattle got scarce and that doesn’t seem to have got into it. They are areas that need to be clarified at the beef forum, but above all beef farmers have to be getting a viable price for their beef”.

He highlighted to the plight of winter finishers this year, which he referred to as a “dead duck” due to expensive feed costs and the price they received from meat processors especially if they were penalised for carcasses that weighted over 420 kilos and maybe losing out on the QA bonus as well.

“They were losing money, you need to achieve every cent possible in the beef sector now for it to be profitable” he said.

He called for clarity in relation to what meat processors require and what they are willing to pay beef farmers. He called for the introduction of fixed price contracts to help prevent uncertainty and to ensure that farming remains viable and sustainable.

“We need progress in relation to what the market requires and what the factories are willing to pay and I think there needs to be far more fixed price contracts where farmers will at least know what they will get at the end of the line at the moment they are little more than gamblers. I suppose that can be said about any farmers but the beef and tillage ones especially because from the day they buy or plant to the day that they harvest or sell their animal is a long time and a lot changes in that period so without fixed price contracts it’s difficult to see that industry going forward in a viable and sustainable manner if there aren’t more forward contracts done between the meat processors and the farmers”.

Future of the Organisation When asked about the future of the organisation and what he hopes to achieve as President, his immediate priority is to improve farm incomes because 2016 will be a washout for Irish farmers with the prices we see.

Joe Healy aims to build an inclusive organisation where members at all levels feel appreciated. “I want to see an inclusive organisation where members at all levels feel that they have an input into the policy of the organisation that works at members at branch level feeding into their country executive and in turn into national council and to the various committees.

He also highlighted the importance for all officers to receive training to allow them have an appreciation of what is expected of them while fulfilling the duties in that role.

“I want to see training introduce for officers at all levels in the Irish Farmers Association because I think it’s very important that everyone that’s in a position has an appreciation of what is expected from that role whether that’s from fourth delegate at branch level or whether it’s national president or a national chairman” he said. “We need to work closely with our Commissioners, our MEPs and our local politicians to ensure that we are not sold out in order to secure a trade deal” He concluded the interview by highlighting the need to develop relationships with politicians to ensure that agriculture is not sold out to secure trade deals and of the need for farmers to engage in profitable sustainable farming.

“We need to ensure that agriculture can’t be the defensive issue for the EU in order gain access on banking, services and cars as far as trade deals are concerns so we need to work closely with our Commissioners, our MEPs and our local politicians to ensure that we are not sold out in order to secure a trade deal. We also need to ensure that there is mandatory legislative regulation in the food chain supply to ensure that a margin returns to the farmers. There are a whole heap of areas but as I said at the start of the interview it all boils down to viable and sustainable farm incomes for Irish farm families”.

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 03

NEWS

Russia Food Embargo Extended Negative Effect on Irish Agriculture

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t has recently emerged that Russia will extend the embargo on food imports from the EU member states and other countries until the end of 2017.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev informed members of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE) that he had given orders for the Russian food embargo to be extended not by one year, but until the end of 2017.

His requested the embargo to be extended following numerous requests form Russian food producers for it to remain in place.

Medvedev said an appeal to Russia President Vladimir Putin and the necessary government resolution would be drafted and also referred to the benefits of extending this embargo to Russia’s agri-sector.

“Therefore, those engaged in the agricultural business, the agro-industry, will receive a longer, more distant horizon for planning their investment, which they have repeatedly requested. Both the major agricultural companies and the relatively smaller ones will receive the ability to tally up how and what will be produced over a longer-term outlook,” he said.

The ban dates back to August 7, 2014, when the Russian government imposed a one-year embargo on imports of most food products from the EU, the US, Australia, Canada and Norway in response to the sanctions these countries have imposed against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine Russia is the second most important destination for EU agri-food exports after the United States, representing in total a value of about € 11.8 billion in 2013, or roughly 10% of all EU agri-food exports, according to the Commission.

ICSA president Patrick Kent who spoke to Grassroots Farm Magazine with regard to the ban “Food should have been kept out of the war from my point of view it was a negative step taken by the EU [to impose sanctions] to the long term detriment of European farmers and possibly to the benefit of Russia’s farmers.”

“It’s having a negative effect both within the dairy and pigs industry here. It is also having an effect on our beef industry”.

“It is causing an undermining of our beef industry due to the overloading of pork and chicken on the European market that would have been exported into Russia and to the detriment of our pig farmers, even though our pig farmers are getting scares” he said.

Mr. Kent claimed that Russian farmers are benefiting from this embargo and that we need a similar ban on imports from South America and North America.

“Farming is booming in Russia as a result of the ban and we probably need the same coming in from South American and North America we need to oppose TTIP, CETA and Mercosur deals” He highlighted how the ICSA has protested against the proposed EUMercosur trade deal and indicated that Irish farmers are miss-represented by some Irish Member of the European Parliament.

“We have being protesting in Dublin about as an organisation and we need to continue that protest”.

“We need to oppose people that are miss-representing Irish farmers people like Matt Carthy plus Mairead McGuinness and Sean Kelly which are aligned with the People’s Party in Europe absolutely to the detriment of European and Irish farming”.

“I am non-party political now, I am non-party political but I am absolutely shocked by how miss-represented we are as farmers by our MEPs with the exception of a few of a couple. Matt Carthy for Sein Fein and Luke Ming Flanagan are vocal opponents of TTIP and I am just surprised that is not more of our T.D.s here taking the same line” he said.

FARMER CAN FIND ‘NICE WOMAN’ BEFORE ENFORCEMENT OF DRIVING BAN

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ahirsiveen District Court was the scene of a bizarre ruling at the start of June. 60 year old farmer, John O’Shea was put off the road for a drink driving offence but his solicitor, John O’Dwyer successfully argued for a delay in the implementation of the ban.

Mr O’Dwyer had noted in argument that if the extension went beyond September it would allow him to go to the matchmaking festival at Lisdoonvarna.

Mr Dwyer had earlier stated that “Being off the road would make it difficult for O’Shea to care for his cows and he would have to make

arrangements to get rid of them” With no relatives close to help once a driving ban is enforced, Judge James O’Connor asked if O’Shea “was going to stay single or are will you take the plunge?”

He also stated that while he was given time to sort his affairs out, Mr O’Shea might “find himself a nice woman.”

Judge O’Connor referred to the State not wanted to undo anyones livelihood and he granted an adjournment of the ban until 8th of December.

INVESTIGATION AFTER POSITIVE ‘ANGEL DUST’ TEST BAN

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positive test result for illegal growth hormone clenbuterol has being confirmed by the Department of Agriculture.

An investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of the illegal growth-promoting drug clenbuterol, better known as angel dust, is underway.

Five years ago a single case of clenbuterol use was uncovered but that was the only other case identified since 1999.

The 2011 case was found in Monaghan. The most recent suspect

animal had been sent for slaughtering for the food chain at a meat processor facility in Clones.

Joe Healy president of the Irish Farmers’ Association, said: “The IFA does not condone the use of any illegal substances in food production.

The detection highlights the stringent tests that are in place to protect the food chain from farm to fork.”

ICSA president Patrick Kent has condemned without reservation the use of banned substance clenbuterol, otherwise known as angel dust.

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 05

NEWS

COMMISSIONER HOGAN TELLS FARMERS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY “Dairy farmers must take their responsibility for the continuing increase in production which, given current market conditions, is simply not sustainable”, that’s according to European Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan who recently made these comments while speaking at a European Parliament plenary debate on the milk price crisis in Brussels.

Responding to his comments, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) criticised Commissioner Hogan by claiming that he was completely wrong in attempting to “make farmers responsible for the dairy farmer income wipe-out when the blame for the current crisis lay squarely with the EU Commission, individual national governments and processors.”

Is this criticism justified? The removal of milk quotas was welcomed and heralded as the dawn of a new era of farming in Ireland, the risks associated with removing quotas in particular price volatility was not only predicted but feared by sections within the agri-business sector in particular the Irish

FDC report clearly shows cost of Liquid Milk production is 0.40c A large gathering of FMP members were present at Killashee in Mid-May for their National Conference. Commissioned by FMP, FDC Accountant Barry Murphy outlined the stark reality to farmers in the room with figures that represented the true production costs of the average liquid milk producer.

FMP members were told that the average liquid milk producer is losing money and there was considerable concern amongst members on how producers move forward from the situation they have found themselves in.

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The figures shown by Barry Murphy caused much discomfort in the room as they demonstrated the total production cost including labour input over the past 2 years for the average liquid milk producers is 40c. This was calculated using a modest labour cost of just €45,000 per annum per full time family farmer. According to Barry, “control of variable costs is key and farmers should remember that scale is not everything. In fact scale contributes added pressure and if efficiency does not exist in the first instance, further financial problems will follow”.

Barry further emphasized that expansion will not solve existing problems but merely multiply them.

The inclusion of labour costscame under scrutiny from the floor but Barry stressed that labour and capital expenditure need to be included when analysing profitability of any business and this extends to farming enterprises such as liquid milk producers.

This fact conflicts with the E-Profit Monitor reports where the general feeling was that the E-Profit Monitor reports are not representative of the reality on these farms.

While recognised as having a purpose for analysing costs inside the farm gate, their use by processors and the wider media has given skewed messages.

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SILAGE / FORAGE

Provita Advance+ silage inoculant A unique formulation of EU approved lactic and acetic acid bacteria

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vance+ is a unique 3 strain product containing 2 lactic acid producing strains and 1 acetic acid producing strain. When applied at the recommended rate it supplies a guaranteed minimum of 1 million cfu per g of forage at the point of application.

The Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus strains give a rapid lactic acid fermentation and the Lactobacillus brevis converts some lactic acid to acetic acid. The strains work together to give the benefits of a traditional rapid lactic acid fermentation plus improved stability. Advance+ can therefore be used in forages of all levels of dry matter plus in a wide range of crops including grass, wholecrop and maize.

Silage additives within the EU have been overhauled over the last 10 years as they have come under the EU feed additive regulation. Therefore only strains approved within the EU feed additive registrar can be used in a silage inoculant. Every strain must undergo standardised testing for safety and efficacy. Not all products have passed these tests, however the strains in Advance+ have passed these tests and produced excellent results (see graph for example).

Advance+ is available in granular and liquid form. The ready to use Advance+ granular is available in 20kg tubs that treat 50 tonnes of grass at the standard application rate of 400g per tonne. Alternatively Advance+ is available in a 1kg powder to liquid box that treats 100 tonnes of grass at an application rate of 2 litres per tonne.

To ensure the best results from Advance+ the following good silage making tips should be followed to ensure a high quality crop is preserved. Ensile good quality grass/wholecrop/ maize; no weeds; no soil; no nitrogen do a test if in doubt; cut crop in afternoon, do not wilt more than 48 hours; consider shorter wilt time in very dry conditions; ensile crop quickly; roll in layers as it goes in; roll for no more than 2 hours at the end of the ensiling process; if ensiling over two days or more put a light cover on overnight; if ensiling over two days or more do not roll the following morning as this will allow air back into the partly fermented silage, instead spread fresh crop over the clamp, and then roll it; use covers for the sides of clamps.

For further information contact our Irish distributor Whelehan Animal Health at 01 4688900

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 07

SILAGE NEWS / FORAGE

The clever approach to grass silage preservation

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rass silage is the single most important source of winter feed on Irish farms today, however many farmers are still failing to preserve crops in the most beneficial way.

Getting the most from a crop of silage should never be taken for granted but where do silage additives fit into this dilemma.

Quality silage starts with quality grass cut at the correct growth stage to optimise digestibility and yield. A fast cool fermentation is crucial in order to preserve the quality of grass being ensiled and minimise losses from heat and dry matter. It is important to remember that this is lost energy that would otherwise be utilised by the animal at feedout, leading to greater production and feed efficiency. While much debate has taken place over the role and value of silage additives, research has proven that there are substantial benefits from applying an appropriate additive.

A good silage additive will reduce oxygen and increase acidity rapidly,

08 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

so that lactic acid bacteria grow to stabilize and preserve the forage to its full potential. One such product; Graszyme Sugarboost forage additive from Agritech, has a proven track record in achieving this and has undergone numerous trials on dairy and beef farms throughout Ireland and the UK, which have shown daily milk yield increases of 1litre and 110grams daily LWG. According to John Kenny of Agritech ‘the aim of preservation is to retain silage quality as close as possible to the grass being harvested and avoid unnecessary ensiling losses.’ He adds ‘there is a renewed interest amongst Irish farmers in quality silage and additive usage.

The technology used in Graszyme Sugarboost, has been scientifically proven to reduce unnecessary plant breakdown and ensuring reliability even in difficult low sugar conditions.

Graszyme Sugarboost forage additives have been developed with accelerated fermentation and animal performance as the primary focus which is dependent on effective grass preservation. John says ‘the ultimate aim from the use of an additive is to enhance animal performance, deliver more milk and more live weight gain at feedout and ultimately increasing farm profitability.’

SILAGE / FORAGE

Forage options for Cattle and Sheep

by Dr Mary McEvoy, Germinal.

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ithout doubt, grass has to be the first priority for feeding livestock efficiently, however forage crops can play a valuable role both for out-wintering livestock and overcoming grass shortages during the summer months.

There are a number of options available to farmers when choosing fodder crops, but there are three fundamental questions to answer before deciding on the most cost-effective type of forage crop for your livestock production system.

When do you want to utilise the crop?

When will the land for growing the forager crop become vacant?

How many animals do you need the crop to feed?

Brassicas have a high requirement for N and P and adequate supply of these nutrients is critical to maximise the yield potential of the crop. It

is important to remain with your allowances within the nitrates directive however. In addition, brassicas are low in fibre and supplementing with a fibre source e.g. baled silage is critical for animal health. In addition, ensure animals will have constant access to fresh water when grazing the crop.

Kale, rape and the hybrid brassicas (a rape x kale cross) are the most common brassica forage options for Irish farmers.

Kale is suitable for sheep and cattle grazing. It has high digestibility and a long utilisation period. Animals can utilise the entire plant. Kale can be sown in May –June. Ideal late summer/ early autumn feed for cattle or sheep. It provides a solution to overcoming late season grazing deficits. Maris Kestrel is the most popular variety of kale in Ireland due to its outstanding digestibility and good winter hardiness Forage rape provides high energy grazing for cattle and sheep. The variety Stego is a high yielding forage rape variety. Extremely digestible stems, allowing complete use of the whole plant with minimal residual matter. A high energy grazing for cattle and sheep, suited to autumn/ winter grazing. Ideal for out wintering.

The hybrid brassica, Redstart (Rape x kale cross) offers the highly beneficial combination of rapid growth ability and good all year round performance. The forage rape genes give it the ability to grow quickly while the kale genes deliver excellent winter hardiness. Redstart is mainly used as a high energy protein crop for out wintering cattle and sheep. Redstart can be grazed more than once if sown early, if so take care with the first grazing to ensure the main stem remains intact to protect the crop for future regrowth. Fertilise the crop after grazing to ensure sufficient nutrients for regrowth. Redstart can be sown from May to August.

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GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 09

TILLAGE NEWS

Europe Fails to Agree on Glyphosate Extension

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uropean Member States have failed to agree on legislation that would allow an extension of the glyphosate license which is due to expire at the end of this month.

The national representatives in the EU’s plants, animals, food and feed committee voted against a European Commission proposal to extend the current authorisation for 12-18 months, pending new scientific advice.

Conflicting scientific studies on the potential dangers of the herbicide have led to the delays.

The glyphosate license came up for a 15-year renewal last year but a decision was put off after a World Health Organisation (WHO) body classified it as “probably carcinogenic to humans”.

This advice conflicts with the European Food and Safety Agency, which found it was “unlikely” to be carcinogenic, a position echoed by a joint United Nations/WHO committee last month.

Although 20 EU countries, including Ireland, were in favour of reauthorising glyphosate, EU voting rules require a “qualified” majority of 55pc of EU countries that make up 65pc of the EU’s population.

The fact that the EU’s most populous states, Germany, France and Italy,

abstained from Monday’s vote, made re-approval impossible. Malta was the only country to vote against.

If no solution is found before July 1, farmers will be forced to stop using products containing glyphosate, the world’s most-used herbicide, by December 2018.

Healy-Rae Concerned with Carbon Tax

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ewly elected Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has been criticised and ridiculed in the Irish media for his comments that he does not agree with all the talk about climate change because “only God controls the weather” during a recent Dail debate.

Deputy Healy-Rae spoke with Eoin McCarthy of Grassroots Farm Magazine and claimed that the individuals who have criticised him are entitled to their opinion.

He also said that “there has been dramatic changes in the climate back over the ages before we were ever industrialised, before there was ever engines by Harry Ferguson or Henry Ford or whoever was the first people [to develop engines] back over 100 years ago” He claimed that the climate has continuously changed over the centuries and that some scientists even agree with his viewpoint.

“Going for all the ages there has been changes in the climate and there’s a wide spectrum of scientist who concur with me and many other ordinary people like myself firmly believe that idea that nature has evolved over the centuries and there has been changes in the climate.”

When questioned on how he would respond to individuals in the Irish media who have criticised his comments, Deputy Healy-Rae said that he takes criticism on the chin and that he would not resort to insulting their intelligence as they have done to his [intelligence].

“I am not a shrinking violet, let them have their opinion. I am not going to insult them, some of them have actually insulted my intelligence, but that’s fine I don’t resort to that.

What I say to them, they are entitled to their opinion there’s room for us all in the world that’s all I will say to them. I won’t insult them in any personal way or I never would to anyone who held a different view to me”.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPCC) Fourth Assessment Report published in 2007 concluded that “there’s 90 per cent probability that human activities over the past 150 years have warmed our planet”. This report was compiled by 1,300 independent scientific experts.

10 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

When Deputy Healy-Rae was challenged regarding these findings, he responded by claiming that “they have their views and their opinions. I have mine and again I will stick with them, there has been serious changes of the climate and if you went back to the early 1700s. I think it was 1740 we had two desperate years of rain the people saved no hay for the cows and the cattle starved, they saved no turf they perished with the cold, all the crops failed because it never stopped raining. I mean what answer have they to those things?”

“Many of those insistence I could keep highlighting all evening because I have even got more a lot of people have supported me in case you think they have not and have sent me a lot more stuff about the Baltic ocean when it froze over completely and things like that I was not actually aware of.”

In the course of our interview, Deputy Healy-Rae raised concerns regarding how the carbon tax is actually being spent and that there needs to be more accountability regarding this tax. He further elaborated by claiming that “What is being done with all the money that is being taken from people in the name of carbon tax and how are they proposing to help the weather with it? I am very worried about it and I feel for people who are being taxed in this way there must be more accountability about that. I actually put down a Dail question to find out how much tax was being collected in the name of carbon tax and I know I got a wrong figure and I will have to put it down again” he said.

DAIRY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

“We are not looking at a meltdown scenario for the EU dairy sector over the coming months.”

European Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan 18th November 2014

“Dairy farmers must take their responsibility for the continuing increase in production which, given current market conditions, is simply not sustainable” European Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan May 2016

R

esponsibility,” but who needs to take responsibility for the increase in production after the abolition of milk quota? Eoin McCarthy investigates.

Price volatility On 31st March 2015, social media indicated an air of excitement among Irish dairy farmers’ who posted photos of their bulk tanks as they waited for their milk to be collected in a post quota environment.

Simon Coveney, the former Minister of Agriculture, tweeted “Last day of

12 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

Milk Quotas! – opportunity for growth and expansion is exciting but needs to be managed and sustainable.” His tweet indicated the opportunities and the challenges facing dairy farmers in a post quota environment.

Warnings John Comer, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association voiced his concern that the removal of quotas would spark a major increase in milk supply across Europe, followed by a collapse in prices.

Mr. Comer claimed “We don’t want to see farmers being forced into insolvency when there’s an oversupply” and that dairy farmers should “Make haste slowly. Any farmer who expands should do it for his own sake,

DAIRY not because the hurlers on the ditch are telling him to”.

The European Milk Board, a federation of dairy farmers with member organisations form 13 countries, said it was likely that the market would not be able to cope with significantly expanded production in a reasonable way.

“Chronic price collapses are inevitable, the next crisis is on its way,” EMB president Romuald Schaber said.

In 2014, investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted a milk glut and that annual global dairy output would exceed demand by 2 billion litres by 2018, while Rabobank International signalled a “prolonged period ahead of low prices”.

In a media briefing in November 2014, Commissioner Phil Hogan did warn dairy farmers that there would be no soft landing for the end of EU milk quotas.

He also claimed that he did not see “market conditions in 2015 being as bad as those encountered in 2009. So we are not looking at a meltdown scenario for the EU dairy sector over the coming months.”

At a press Conference on the abolition of milk quotas at the end of March 2015 in Brussels, Commissioner Hogan outlined the measures that the European Union would introduce to reduce dairy farmers concerns regarding price volatility, through supply chain contracts, fixed contracts, forward contracts and price differentiation according to volumes. “The abolition of the quotas will obviously raise concerns about price volatility, but we continue to have market mechanisms available to us in the event of a serious crisis” Commissioner Hogan concluded this press conference with an air of positivity regarding the future of the European dairy industry, by claiming that “after a long time of strong governmental involvement in the dairy market, industry now has to find its way to adapt to the new reality” “We will as I said earlier continue to monitor through the Milk Market Observatory the situation as it unfolds in 2015 and beyond but I am fully committed to supporting the continued market orientation of the dairy

“We will have 300,000 more cattle soon”……… “farmers don’t want to be working for the bank” Former Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney sector in 2015 and beyond and I am confident that the industry has a bright and proposes future” Promotion of Expansion It was well reported in Irish media that dairy expansion was promoted on the basis of increased demand for dairy products among the middle class particularly in China.

Commissioner Hogan claimed that “global demand for milk products is increasing at an average of 2 per cent per annum”.

This demand for dairy products it was claimed would drive growth, create jobs and bring prosperity to rural areas.

A study by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) estimated the ending of quotas would create 9,500 extra jobs in Ireland, and upwards of 1.3 billion euros annual additional export revenue.

IFA National Dairy Committee chairman Sean O’Leary claimed that “Facts would suggest that Irish dairy farmers are well placed to capitalise on the end of quotas, and in so doing help develop the dairy and agribusiness sector with major increases in direct and indirect employment,” However, the IFA did call on co-operatives and the Irish Dairy Board to lock in milk prices for a portion of their milk to help farmers deal with price volatility and to encourage a “soft landing” prior to the removal of quotas.

Do politicians, state agencies and financial institutions need to take their share of responsibility for promoting dairy expansion when geopolitical decisions made in Brussels and Moscow, the Russian embargo on food imports from the EU, an increase in European milk production and lower

WAS THE ABOLITION OF MILK QUOTA MISS SOLD TO IRISH DAIRY FARMERS?

T

he abolition of milk quotas was “unfortunately very badly managed and it was miss sold to the dairy farmers here in Ireland.” That’s according to ICSA President Pat Kent, who spoke to Eoin McCarthy of Grassroots Farm Magazine.

Mr. Kent also claimed “it was going to mean that the price of milk was going to drop because there would be oversupply and farmers were not warned about that aspect of it and they are exploited as a result”.

“I am quite disappointed and our members in the association are very disappointed also farmers in general have been given … dairy farmers in particular have been given very very bad advice because European policy makers knew there would be a glut of milk with the lifting of quotas and they didn’t flag it.”

“Our politicians here certainly didn’t flag that would happen, they thought that they would out milk their competitors in New Zealand, who I may say have much more favourable conditions weather wise and with scale”.

“They have a two month winter. We don’t have a two month winter in this country but that is being flagged that we could out produce the New Zealanders in price, now they are changing the goal posts.”

“Now they are moving that the actual breakeven point for milk is much much higher that they initially thought” he said.

He highlighted the contradictory nature of Commissioner Phil Hogan’s recent comments that dairy farmers need to take responsibility for the continuing increase in production to his communication before his move to Brussels.

“That’s flunking his responsibility. When he was here he was talking about land use surveys before he went to Europe”.

“He was talking about land use and that every acre has to be counted to be more productive and he was forcing people into being more productive and now he is talking about bring down loans from Europe to mask I may add the low profitability in many farming sectors”.

“To bring down sheep loans is only postponing the inevitable that a lot of businesses now aren’t viable particularly the ones who are highly borrowed, the other business are at just substance level of income

14 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

“Look I am not representing dairy farmers but they have my sympathy and I think our politicians here need to be more honest with people and that hasn’t being happening” Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association President Patrick Kent a lot of them. If you take into account the actual of hours spent and the amount of capital invested in farming it doesn’t make a business model at all”.

Mr. Kent indicated that politicians, Teagasc and financial institutions need to take their share of responsibility for encouraging dairy farmers to expand prior to the abolition of milk quotas.

“It was by the banks also people went into get small stocking loans on dry stock farms were refused loans but they were given access to unlimited credit if they go dairying so the financial institutions have massive responsibility to play here as well.”

“They need to own up to their responsibilities and be more responsible in dealing with the problems that they created” he added.

“Also Teagasc, I would have to put the ball straight into their court in that their calculations they haven’t being including the amount of hours spent by farmers and also the investment that is required to farm livestock in particular”.

DAIRY

IHFA National Open Day 2016 hosted by Windfield Herd

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n Wednesday the 6th of July. the Irish Holstein Friesian Association National Open Day is set for the West Of Ireland, the very first time for the Open Day to be held in County Galway.

Hosts Tommy and Orla Screene with children Aoibhinn and Ronan, Windfield Holstein Friesians exemplify how progressive breeding using IHFA services help in the establishment of an efficient, productive, robust and rewarding herd, built on the strength of cow families.

The Windfield herd is made up of 65 Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian cows with a further 60 youngstock. The farm extends to 90 acres owned with a further 60 acres of leased land.

From humble beginnings, driven on by Tommy's hard work and pursuit for better breeding, key catalysts for progress; Milk Recording, Herd Grade Up, Pedigree Registration and IHFA Classification have combined to play a major part in the

flourishment of the Windfield Holstein Friesian herd.

Current herd average production is 1,870 gallons, 3.83 % Fat, 3.50 % Protein. Following the most recent Classification inspection there are 22 EX, 33 VG and 5 GP animals in the herd.

The economic efficiency of milk production from the Windfield Holstein Friesian herd facilitated additional farm development over the years through the purchase of additional acres and quota, new and revamped farm buildings, investment in modern farming technology. Tommy and Orla married in 1997 and the farm business must deliver to meet the requirements in rearing a young family into the future.

NO.1 EBI HERD OPEN FOR FRIESIAN OPEN DAY

T

he Irish Pure Friesian Club Open Day 2016 will be hosted by Pat & Nora Flynn and family Coolmohan”herd, Araglin, Kilworth, Co. Cork on Wednesday 22nd of June.

The “Coolmohan” herd has garnered a strong profile in recent times with national recognition in attaining No. 1 position for EBI three years in a row. Pat and Nora work as a team with Nora taking charge of calf rearing and completing all the paperwork throughout the year.

Last year Pat milked 84 Pedigree Registered Friesians with an average production of 7,231kgs 4.19% Fat, 3.80% Protein, 578 kgs Milk Solids. Average calving interval was 364 days, average SCC was 87.

Herd health is an important element of herd management with Pat being very conscious of availing of the best tools available in this regard.

A common theme across the herd is the successful impact of stockbulls that were hand-picked. In the early years of developing the herd Pat focused the breeding of the herd from genetics that met his individual criteria. Over half of the herd is bred from stockbulls with Pat using his keen eye for stock in assessing suitable breeding bulls to use.

His selection policy was to follow the top cow families across the top performing Friesian herds and focus on the highest protein bloodlines from these families.

In recent times there has been increased use of AI to help progress the herd further. Pat reports satisfaction with HWT, DVT, BFU LSU and LPO. Diversification of bloodlines is an important consideration in striving

to maintain a balanced approach to breeding policy.

Genomic testing has been used in recent times however Pat places a lot of trust in depth of breeding and proven cow family performance in making informed breeding decisions.

HALLOW ADVENT TWIZZLE REIGNS SUPREME AT EMERALD EXPO 2016

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he skies overflowed with rain on the morning of the Show in stark contrast to the sunny conditions of previous days resulting in the judging ring being moved indoors within the Virginia Showgrounds Centre. For exhibitors, and spectators alike it proved a popular move with a cosy atmosphere enveloping the Emerald Expo 2016.

The Glanbia Senior Cow Championship was won by Philip and Linda Jones Hallow with their cow Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 ET. She was also the Exhibitor Bred Champion and Best Udder of the Show.

Judge Dennis Smith was fulsome in his praise for this 8-yearold who was placed first in the Mature Cow class, remarking on her power, femininity and balance with a picture-perfect udder.

Sired by Advent and with an EX95 Dam, Twizzle 3 was Honourable Mention and winner of the Production class at Emerald Expo last year.

She recently was crowned Reserve Holstein and Reserve Interbreed Champion at the R.U.A.S. Winter Fair. Classified EX95 on conformation she is also a tremendous production cow with over 6,100 kgs of milk solids produced in five lactations to date.

Reserve Champion went to Monamore Seavers Iris exhibited by James Kelly, winner of the 4-year old cow-in- milk class. Honourable mention went to Mike Magan’s Bunacloy V-B Doorman Alioli ET Intermediate Champion and winner of the Junior 2 year-old class, she calved-in three months ago.

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 15

DAIRY

Q&A WITH KEVIN BRADY CHAIRMAN OF THE JERSEY SOCIETY OF IRELAND

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n Saturday 4th June members of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau Tour visited Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy to review work being conducted by Teagasc involving Jerseys and Jersey crosses as part of an extensive grazing regime trial there.

It was hoped that by holding the first leg of the World Jersey Bureau Council Tour in Ireland, it would help to improve the profile of the breed.

It is also an opportunity to show case how the Jersey cow fits into our grass based system to an international audience.

Kevin Brady of the Jersey Society of Ireland was instrumental in organising the Irish leg of this trip and spoke to Eoin McCarthy of Grassroots Farm Magazine.

How would you try and convince people to get into the jersey breed?

The Jersey breed is very efficient in terms of feed conversion. She has high milk solids fat of up to 6% and protein of 4% and with modern genetics cows are capable of producing up to 6,000 litres even more if you are in an intensive high input system but obvious here in Ireland we are here in a grass based system so she fits in well with the grass based system.

She is a small cow with good fertility, easily fed and easily managed. You can stock her at a higher rate because of her feed intake in would be the equivalent of in or around 15 or 16 kgs dry matter per day.

As opposed to any other breed in terms of Holsteins or the black and whites you have a high production cow who has a high input who requires a lot of concentrates in order to maintain her and to get the production that people seek but our payment system here in Ireland is based on A + B – C which is fat protein minus processing costs we feel that the Jersey is ideal for the Irish situation. We have cross breeding and the reason for cross breeding was to improve the constituents in the Holstein and you had the hybrid vigor but in time when you cross bread the question is where do you go after your first or second crossing.

We feel with the Jersey breed that you will have a consistency you have a consistency in genetics, you have particular blood lines like you have the New Zealand genetics, you have the Danish genetics and if people were looking for high yield there is the American genetics but the preferred genetics here in Ireland is a combination from our point of view is a combination of both New Zealand and Danish.

Why would your preferred genetics be a combination of both New Zealand and Danish genetics?

First of all New Zealand are coming from a grass based system, the Danish have a very robust breeding programme and they have a combination of good production and high milk solids. They have a consistency in terms of how they have progressed over the years. If you were to make a comparison the Jersey breed varies like the Holstein breed from different populations from different countries so the Danish have a very strong data collection process, they have been collecting data since the 1960s so all their information is very detailed.

With the abolition of milk quota and the expansion of dairy herds in this country, has the Jersey breed increased following the abolition of milk quota?

We have noticed over the last number of years, particularly in the last three years there has been an increase in new people getting into the Jersey breed. We have it from two sides, we have it where people are converting from Holstein herds into Jersey herds and we have also people that are newly entering into dairying and they have decided to go for the Jersey breed and their reason for them going into the pedigree Jersey breed is better milk solids, capacity to have a higher stocking rate and better price for their milk.

If we were to look at the downside of the Jersey breed, despite the Jersey bull calf, how would you still convince people to get into the Jersey breed?

THE BENEFITS OF THE JERSEY BREED

• Milk price higher than base price • The most efficient converters of feed into milk solids of any Dairy Breed • Excellent fertility - Excellent Feet and Legs • Light Cows that can graze earlier in the year and in poorer conditions • Low replacement rate • Versatile, can handle both high and low input systems

THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

• Access to a network of Jersey Breeders • Help and advice on specific aspects of Jersey Management • Breeding advice • Study Tours • On-Farm workshops

Tel: 086 067 1077 (Intl. +353 86 067 1077) @irishjerseycattle.com Address: c/o Rita Eivers, Horsepark House, Kennastown, Trim, Co Meath

16 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

Well if you are to make a comparison between a black and white and a Jersey while people focus on the bull calf I think your focus needs to be on your actual milk production and the price you receive for your milk. If you are to look at the price you are to get for your black and white milk and compared to generally speaking the Jersey milk will get in or around 10 cent a litre above base price the co-op base price. In a very good year that will go up to when prices are slightly higher that will bring you up to 12 or even14 cent a litre extra that more than compensates for the loss of the price you will get for your bull calf added to which you would have an extra lactation or two per cow that in itself will add to your overall life time production and income from that cow. I would not see the bull calf as being an issue. I think if you are in milk production your focus needs to be on the production of milk solids, what you get for your bull calf is purely incidental at that stage.

DAIRY

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ohn Cockerell is considered one of Australia’s top dairy farmers which he puts down to the efficiency of his Jersey breed and his herd management practices.

Mr. Cockerell spoke with Eoin McCarthy of Grassroots Farm Magazine while visiting Moorepark Research Centre as part of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau Tour.

‘Efficiency’ is a word that cropped up numerous times during the course of the interview.

“We try to be efficient. We milk 340 Jersey cows, they have an average body weight for 450 kilos and they produce about 1.3 kilos of milk solids per kilo of body weight so I call that efficiency.

Most breeds are sort of 1 to 1 and they think that is a good target”.

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“We are in the top 10, I suppose. We are doing 600 kilos of milk solids per cow, there would probably be only half a dozen herds that would be doing that” he said.

Farming in Numurkah, Victoria, Mr. Cockerell has been in the dairy game for the last 47 years and explained how he achieves this level of efficiency.

“Cow conformation, cow type having your stock well grown and then nutrient, nutrient is just the key”.

“We have a set regime with the cows, they are grass based and we feed grain in the dairy but they are also on a partial mix ration on a feed pad so we have something going in the system all the time” “They are not just getting a big feed in the paddock and then having a big rest when there’s nothing left” he said.

“They get grain in the dairy 6 kilos a day which is 3 kilos a milking, so we feed the grain for the high starch to help with the ruminant bugs feed” “We feed at least 2 kilos of dry matter on the feeder twice a day, so they are getting 10 kilos in total of good high quality ration and then they are getting 10 or 12 kilos of dry matter in the grass in the paddock which is good quality that’s our recipe” he added.

It wasn’t always Jerseys with John and his wife Margaret though. Initially, they had a mixed breed and after they married they bought 5 old cows at a dispersal sale with the purpose of getting a bull. That was their initial venture into the jersey breed. When John and Margaret moved north to farm in Victoria, they got involved in discussion groups. Through these groups, they benchmarked their herd against others herds that included Holstein Friesian cows and found that their herd (and another Jersey herd) were the most efficient cows.

“We have just evolved. We have learned how to feed out cows better over time. We have progressed from just straight paddock feeding in our system to feeding more grain”.

“When you take a kilo of grass out of a cow’s diet it contains about 11 mega duals of energy and in that kilo of grass the volume of the kilo of grass you can put 2 kilos to 2.2 kilos of wheat in the same space in a cows ruminant and that has got a bit over 30 mega duels of energy, so you are taking 11 mega duels out and putting 30 mega duels into that space and those extra mega duels are probably 3 to 4 litres of milk, so that are some of the principals that we work on” he added.

BEEF

SUCCESSFUL SUCKLER REPLACEMENT HEIFER REARING

By Mairead O’Grady, Veterinary Advisor with MSD Animal Health

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strategy for successful rearing of suckler herd replacement heifers is a vital, but often overlooked, component of any suckler farm plan.

Multiple Irish studies indicate that heifers must calve by 2 years old in order to minimise rearing costs and be profitable. Worryingly, the average age at first calving of suckler heifers in Ireland is 32 months.

These animals are much less efficient and profitable within the herd than a similar heifer calving at 2 years old. Homebred heifers on Irish farms account for 60% of the replacements with the remaining 40% purchased. Overall, the national herd has a replacement rate of 14%. Hence, replacement heifers are a significant proportion of suckler herd stock and oversights in their management can lead to poor suckler herd profitability.

TARGETS By the start of breeding at 13-14 months replacement beef heifers should weigh 60% of their expected mature bodyweight. Mature bodyweight is that achieved by five year old cows approximately two months after calving. These heifers should continue to grow and achieve a target of 80% of their mature bodyweight by first calving. Well grown heifers will reach puberty earlier which in turn has an impact on heifer fertility and calving pattern.

KEY FACTORS INFLUENCING ACHIEVEMENT OF TARGETS Whilst it is generally accepted by farmers nationwide that heifers should be well grown and calved down by 2 years of age, it is often overlooked that they also must be healthy. They must also remain healthy throughout the rearing period if the aforementioned targets are to be achieved. Disease control programmes should be devised in conjunction with the attending veterinary surgeon. National data compiled on an annual basis by the regional veterinary laboratories provide us with invaluable information regarding the common diseases diagnosed in this animal group allowing vets and farmers to devise an all-encompassing preventative strategy. Prevention of scours, pneumonia, clostridial disease and parasite associated disease is critical. Control of BVD and leptospirosis prior to breeding are essential in order to prevent unnecessary losses during pregnancy.

PNEUMONIA CONTROL Pneumonia is the main disease diagnosed in animals older than 1 month of age throughout Ireland.

Control of pneumonia by vaccination can reduce deaths, sickness, ill thrift and unnecessary treatment and labour costs. Vaccination with Bovipast RSP from 2 weeks of age with subsequent booster doses administered prior to the risk period provides protection against two common viral causes of the disease and one of the main bacterial causes. As a result, this can greatly reduce the antibiotic usage in these animals as well as controlling sickness and deaths. Administration of Bovilis IBR marker live at the same time as Bovipast RSP adds further protection against the viral respiratory disease IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis) and the licence for concurrent administration is advantageous in reducing animal handling time. Bovilis IBR marker live can be administered every 6 months.

CLOSTRIDIAL DISEASE CONTROL Maternally derived antibodies which calves receive via colostrum protect calves in the first weeks to months of life against some clostridial diseases such as tetanus, depending on the level of immunity of the dam and the amount of colostrum the calf receives. Calf vaccination protects against losses associated with clostridiosis such as sudden death once the maternally derived antibodies wane. This should be carried out from 2 weeks of age onwards with annual booster doses administered thereafter to reduce the risk of losses. As there are 10 relatively frequently diagnosed types of clostridial disease in Ireland, a broadly protective clostridial vaccine is essential to provide maximum protection such as Tribovax 10. A primary vaccination course of Tribovax 10 consists of 2 doses given 4-6 weeks apart with an annual booster dose given subsequently. This booster dose is usually administered prior to turnout as yearlings.

PARASITE CONTROL Both internal and external parasites can affect the growth rate and performance of cattle. Internal parasites of importance in Irish cattle populations are stomach or gutworms including Cooperia oncophora and Ostertagia ostertagii, lungworms, liver fluke and rumen fluke. A parasite burden in replacement heifers can cause a delay in the onset of puberty and delay the age at first calving.

Control of internal parasitic infections involves monitoring growth rates, performing faecal egg counts,

rotational grazing and the use of anthelmintics. Suckler calves may ingest few parasites in their first grazing season due to their primarily milk-based diet prior to weaning. As a result, during their second grazing season these animals may have minimal natural immunity against gutworms or lungworms.

Tactical use of anthelmintics should kill both the gutworms and lungworms and allow for natural exposure to the parasite to occur for a controlled period of time. This helps natural immunity to occur which can provide protection during future grazing seasons. Long acting anthelmintic preparations can protect against parasite burdens for an extended time but as a result natural immunity may not occur. This is not an ideal strategy. Repeated dosing allowing intervals between doses for animals to encounter parasites and develop immunity can work well but this requires multiple handling events.

This may not be practical on many farms during the grazing season. An intraruminal anthelmintic bolus such as Repidose Ready Pulse is indicated for animals weighing 100-400 Kg at the time of administration. Repidose Ready Pulse is indicated for the treatment of adult and immature gastrointestinal roundworms (gutworms), lungworms and tapeworms releasing a pulse at regular intervals of approximately 3 weeks during a period of 18 weeks after administration. The pulsatile release of the anthelmintic oxfendazole allows for natural exposure to gutworms and lungworms to occur which encourages the development of the animals’ own natural immunity. This strategy is extremely suited to the control of internal parasites in replacement heifers, particularly when rearing occurs on out-farms with minimal handling facilities. Fly control should not be overlooked during the grazing season as nuisance flies can reduce grazing time which may affect growth rates. A single application of Butox Pour On protects against flies for 6-10 weeks depending on the degree of fly infestation, fly species and weather conditions. Butox Pour On can also be used for the prevention and treatment of biting and sucking lice on cattle and a single treatment is generally enough for 8-10 weeks protection. All animals should be treated at the same time.

PRE-BREEDING VACCINATIONS As the national BVD eradication programme progresses the risk of BVD circulating within herds should gradually decrease. However, from the start of January until 11th May 2016 there have been 2,196 BVD persistently infected (PI) animals born in total in almost 1500 herds indicating that the risk of disease spread is still present. Vaccination of replacement heifers and cows prior to the start of the breeding season aids in the prevention of the birth of further BVD PI calves. A primary course of vaccination with two doses of Bovilis BVD should be administered 4 weeks apart and this should be completed 4 weeks before breeding commences. Conveniently, Leptavoid H, a vaccine for the control of leptospirosis in cattle, can be given on the same day as Bovilis BVD which greatly simplifies management.

SUMMARY Careful selection of replacement suckler heifers from either within the herd or from purchased stock is a critical step which has the potential to greatly boost the herd profitability. A key factor in protecting this advancement is the maintenance of good herd health through a strategic disease control programme.

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 19

BEEF / SHEEP

IRISH BEEF VERY WELL RECEIVED IN THE US

By Eoin McCarthy

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he Department of Agriculture has indicated that just under 700 tonnes of Irish beef valued at €6 million were exported to the US in the first quarter of 2016, writes Eoin McCarthy. In 2015 Ireland exported 1,300 tonnes of beef valued at €8.5m to the US. To the 31st March 2016 [the first quarter of this year] a total of 2,000 tonnes of beef valued at €14.5m has been exported to America after US authorities lifted their ban on European beef, following the BSE crisis of the late 1990s.

In February 2015, Irish beef was officially launched amid much publicity into the US market by Bord Bia. While launching Irish beef there, former Minister of Agriculture Simon Coveney had initially predicted that up to 20,000 tonnes of Irish beef worth between €50 - €100 million worth would be exported to the US in 2015.

The Department of Agriculture claims that these figures represent a very strong start to the trade considering that exports are presently limited to intact cuts, while some of the exporting plants only secured access in the second half of 2015.

Ireland is currently restricted to exporting high-value steak cuts, such as fillet, rib-eye and sirloin to the US. US authorities are insisting on additional testing for pathogenic bacteria such as E coli before allowing for the importation of Irish mince [known in the trade as manufacturing beef].

“In terms of volume, if we had access obviously to the manufacturing beef sector within the US there would be much bigger potential to do volume”.

“There would be opportunities there to supply full consignments of frozen fore quarter beef into the big potential volume outlets like burger manufacturing companies”said Joe Burke of Bord Bia.

Bord Bia have marketed Irish beef based on Irelands grass production system which contrasts to the US beef production system.

“We have under gone a fairly significant marketing campaign for Irish beef over in the US….. around the whole grass fed and natural production system that we have here which contrasts to their own very intensive and grain fed industry that they have”.

“There definitely is a demand for the type of product that we are producing out there” he said.

Mr. Burke also expects the volume of Irish beef exports to increase once US authorities, who are currently in negotiations with the Department of Agriculture, allow for the importation of manufactured beef.

“Probably, as I said the bigger volume opportunity would be in the grinding market and when that opens up you would certainly expect the volumes to increase”.

Irish beef has been very well received by the US market due to its flavour properties.

“Very positive feedback from customers in the US, obviously it’s a lot different to their own product. A lot of the domestically produced beef tends to be young cattle that are intensively fed, that are fed on a high grain diet so they would have in some ways good eating quality” “It would tend to be tender beef because it is young cattle and intensively fed would tend to have high levels of marbling but where the Irish beef scores and is rated very highly is based on its flavour properties because it is coming from a grass based diet”.

“Animals that have been free ranged for most of their lives outdoors grazing both the story and the eating quality has gone down very well over there” added Mr. Burke.

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR EXTERNAL PARASITE CONTROL IN SHEEP

By Michael O’Grady, Osmonds

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xternal parasites in sheep have serious effects on performance and as a result of sheep profitability. Let’s look at the main culprits. Blowfly are most prevalent after thundery humid weather and their effects are devastating. It is paramount to prevent them laying their eggs on the sheep. Early symptoms are lip-smacking, tail wagging and scratching. Biting lice has a life cycle of 21 days. They cause severe irritation and tend to be most prevalent over winter months when day length is shorter. When itching, sheep graze less and their performance suffers. Ticks have a 3 year life cycle and once they draw blood from the host sheep, they fall back onto the pasture and re surface again the following year. Ticks transmit three diseases – looping ill, lamb pyaemia and tick borne fever. Sheep Scab has a 14 day life cycle. It is very contagious and causes severe swelling of the skin.

When it comes to dipping sheep over the summer it is all about being prepared.

Osmonds have an excellent range of sheep dips (Goldfleece and Ecofleece) and pourons (Ovisect). See below some management hints to help you get best results.

Sheep Dipping Hints SAFETY - wear protective clothing, gloves and safety gear. Ensure sheep are dry and rested and are not tired, thirsty or suffering from sores.

PREPARATION – ensure the collecting yard is clean. Follow label instructions when filling the bath and stir the bath thoroughly from end to end to ensure a thorough mix.

DIPPING PROCEDURE – sheep should be 1 minute in the tank and immerse their heads twice. Sheep should stand in the draining pen to allow excess dip to drain back into dipping tank. Top up the bath with additional water and concentrate, strictly follow the guidelines on the label for topping up the tank. Post dipping lameness may occur if sheep are dipped in a dirty bath or a bath left over night.

PRECAUTIONS - always obey the withdrawal period on the dip label. Dispose of dip, as described on the product label.

Sheep Pour-on Hints One application of Osmonds Ovisect gives 6-8 weeks protection for Blowfly. Implement an effective worm control programme to avoid re-soiling of the fleece. Best to apply just at the on-set of Blowfly strike. It is important to dag soiled and dirty wool prior to applying Ovisect as it is inactivated by organic matter. Apply as a fan spray to the surface of the fleece with two stripes along the back and a stripe across the rump and hind quarters of the sheep (half the dose should be applied to the shoulders, back and flank and the other half to the rump). Ovisect has the advantage of also controlling Biting Lice, Ticks and Headflies.

For more information contact your Local Osmonds Rep or phone Una on 01-4667988 or visit www.osmonds.ie

20 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

JOHN DEERE SPECIAL

FAC FARM & CONTRACTOR

MACHINERY

2016 IS THE YEAR OF THE DEERE John Deere Limited celebrates its 50th anniversary in the UK and Ireland in 2016. The company started trading from Langar, England in January 1966, and the original premises are still in use today as John Deere’s visitor centre and national parts distribution centre.

O

ne of the tractors sold by John Deere dealers 50 years ago, and on which the company started to build its reputation, was the 4020 Diesel.

This 91hp six-cylinder tractor was the first to appear on the UK and Irish market with a powershift transmission and became arguably the most popular tractor of its era. The rest of the John Deere Limited product line in 1966 included the 710, 5010 and 5020 tractors, ploughs, cultivators, disc harrows and the 530 and 630 combines.

Langar’s own specially restored 4020, nicknamed BEV after its original registration plate is being used in many celebration events. In a nod to the 2016 anniversary, it was chosen to parade alongside its modern day descendant, the new flagship 620hp four-track 9620RX, to highlight just one aspect of the tremendous advances that have been made in farming technology over the last 50 years.

The tractors stood side by side at the LAMMA display to help promote a very special event that will take place at Langar in September 2016.

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 21

MACHINERY

JOHN DEERE FORAGER RECEIVES RED DOT AWARD FOR PRODUCT DESIGN

J

ohn Deere’s innovative 8000 Series self-propelled forage harvesters are once again in the spotlight, having been recognised with a 2016 Red Dot international design award for excellent product design. A jury of independent design specialists from 41 countries chose the forager out of more than 5200 entries from 57 countries by applying stringent selection criteria. Product categories for the 2016 awards ranged from consumer electronics and communication to fashion, lifestyle and sports.

“The revolutionary new design of the John Deere 8000 Series self-propelled forage harvester reflects the innovative technology and functionality of these machines,” said Professor Matthias Schönherr, a former Porsche design specialist who was mainly responsible for the design of the new forager.

“Styling also plays an important role, as it expresses the brand and quality values of a machine.”

“This coveted award is an integral part of the 8000 Series product success story,” said Christoph Wigger, John Deere Region 2 Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Often assessed as being of secondary importance, an entirely new design gives engineers the unique opportunity to start from scratch as they aim to enhance efficiency and productivity.”

John Deere’s 8000 Series range of self-propelled forage harvesters is manufactured in Zweibrücken, Germany, and consists of eight models from 380 to 845hp. Fully integrated with a suite of precision farming tools, these machines represent state-of-the-art technology and are designed to provide ultimate chopping performance in grass and maize for both livestock feed and biogas production.

COUNTY ARMAGH CONTRACTOR GETS FIRST JOHN DEERE FORAGER

rollers, and of course the bigger engine.

“The 8800i is powered by a Cummins 19-litre 845hp engine, which does not require AdBlue to produce low emissions. The cab on the forager is also much more spacious and with that, visibility has been improved. Another efficiency improvement on this machine is the new knife sharpening system, which now only takes around two minutes compared to 10 or so on the older model.

“To be honest, we did look at other brands before making this purchase, but in the end we came back to John Deere because of the back-up service we receive from our dealer.” said Garth Cairns.

A silage contractor in County Armagh has taken delivery of the very first John Deere 8800i self-propelled forage harvester to be sold in the UK and Ireland.

Garth Cairns from Waringstown, who also runs the slurry machinery and trailer manufacturing company SlurryKat, received his top of the range forager in mid-April from local John Deere dealership Johnston Gilpin & Co Ltd, based in Lisburn.

Mr Cairns runs a large contracting fleet of 13 John Deere tractors and two John Deere self-propelled foragers. He ordered the new 8800i back in October 2015 in good time for this year’s silage season. The new forager replaced his 2010 model 7750, which was traded in showing 1850 hours on the clock.

“We changed our 7750 as it was six years old and we were keen to upgrade to the latest technology from John Deere,” said Garth Cairns. “Farmers are under intense financial pressure, as are contractors, but there is no way we could increase our prices to help increase our own cashflow. With that in mind the only solution was to reduce our costs and by upgrading to this very latest 8800i we hope to achieve that.”

“The new forager is actually six inches narrower and higher than our previous model, making access to fields a bit easier. Other improvements that pushed us towards the 8800i were its higher capacity, the variable speed pick-up which runs independently of the feed

22 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

(Left to right): Robbie Hewitt, Garth Cairns & Tim Black of Garth Cairns Contracting and Randal McConnell with the newly delivered John Deere 8800i forager.

2005 JOHN DEERE 8320 7217 hrs, Powershift, f/s, f/linkage, Mint €55000+vat Contact Pierce at Meath 087 679 2587

Meath Farm Machinery Ltd Main John Deere Dealer with locations in Meath, Cavan and Kildare.

2015 JOHN DEERE 6210R 888hrs, Direct Drive, c/f susp, 50k Air seat, Aircon, Tyres 95% €114000 + vat Contact Ian at Meath 086 255 5065

2013 CASE CVX160 4069hrs, 50k, Airbrakes, c/f susp, front linkage/PTO €60000 +vat Contact Ian at Meath 087 255 5065

2008 JD6930 STD 8000hrs, p/quad plus, Airseat, Aircon, F/linkage, Immaculate €35000+vat Contact Johnny at Kildare 087 758 4356

2009 JD6230 3000hrs, p/quad plus, 40k, 3speed PTO, c/w583 loader, Very Tidy tractor, €43000 No Vat Contact Pat at Cavan 087 289 7351

1999 CASE CX100 6075hrs, c/w quickie Q30 loader, 4wd, mechanical f/d/rev shuttle, 40k, Very Tidy tractor, €18500 No Vat Contact Pierce at Meath 087 679 2587

2013 JOHN DEERE 1365 10ft disc mower c/w grouper Very clean, €18000 +vat Contact Pierce at Meath 087 679 2587

2003 JOHN DEERE 832 24m, Track and drawbar, axle Suspension, Mint, €22000 + vat Contact Johnny at Kildare 087 758 4356

2008 RUSCON 18FT Silage sides, Auto Tailgate, Sprung d/bar, Bogie axle, c/w super singles.

CHOICE, €8000 +vat Contact Johnny at Kildare 087 758 4356

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE ALL OF OUR USED MACHINERY ON

WWW.MEATHFARMMACHINERY.COM

MACHINERY

JOHN DEERE PREVIEWS NEW SPRAYER AT CEREALS EVENT

F

eaturing a larger 5000-litre capacity spray tank and a new ultra-lightweight but extremely strong carbon fibre boom, John Deere’s new R4050i self-propelled sprayer will be making its UK & Ireland show debut at Cereals 2016 in Cambridgeshire this June.

The sprayer is scheduled to be in full production at the John Deere Horst factory in the Netherlands for the 2018 season, the R4050i will join the existing R4040i 4000-litre self-propelled model in the company’s market leading sprayer range in limited numbers from early 2017. Weight distribution on this bigger machine has been improved by removing around 900kg from the rear through the use of the carbon fibre boom, alongside the extra weight of liquid carried in the larger tank.

Able to spray at widths of 18 or 36m, the high-performance spray boom is considerably lighter than steel or aluminium designs. However, the carbon fibre material used in its construction is around 5.5 times stronger than steel and is able to flex, which relieves the boom structure from the stress that can cause fractures in metal booms. The carbon fibre boom is specially designed to withstand the high dynamic loads created at high application speeds of 20 to 30kph, even with very wide booms.

The reduced weight of the carbon fibre boom, at around five times lighter than a steel equivalent, also has benefits for ride performance.

The boom’s low inertia greatly reduces the undesirable roll and yaw movement often seen in wide spray booms. In addition automatic boom levelling systems, like John Deere’s own BoomTrac, are able to control the ultra-lightweight boom with greater precision, enabling lower boom heights and higher speeds to be employed.

The R4050i is powered by the same 6.8-litre John Deere PowerTech PSS engine as the smaller machine, producing 235 rated hp (boosted to 255hp with intelligent power management/IPM). This engine meets

24 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

Stage IV/Final Tier 4 emissions regulations by incorporating selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

The machine’s centrally located, easy to access cab provides a comfortable operating position and offers good visibility both on the road and in the field. The sprayer chassis features dual-strut independent wheel suspension for a smooth, fast ride, and hydraulic track width adjustment as standard. There is also a choice of twowheel, four-wheel or crab steering to suit different crop and field conditions.

The R4050i is equipped as standard with the John Deere GreenStar 3 2630 touchscreen display with full FieldDoc spray documentation and ISOBUS compatibility. The sprayer comes AutoTrac ready and with a free JDLink Ultimate subscription for one year, which enables a range of additional FarmSight precision farming solutions including new Remote Display Access and Wireless Data Transfer, as well as Service Advisor Remote.

Other standard features include a Hydro Handle multi-functional control lever, Solution Command electronic sprayer control for automatic filling, mixing, spraying and rinsing, and a 50-litre PowrFill inductor for safe transfer of crop protection chemicals into the main tank. Total spray pump capacity is a maximum of 560 litres/min, with a flow of up to 380 litres/min.

John Deere’s established BoomTrac automatic boom levelling system can be upgraded to the new variable geometry BoomTrac Pro option, for increased application accuracy and efficiency. BoomTrac Pro automatically adjusts the height of the individual boom wings independently to match the terrain.

Instant crop or soil coverage to the full working width of the sprayer is provided by the standard pressure circulation system, which keeps the liquid solution moving along the stainless steel spray lines and right up to the nozzles, even when not spraying. Once spraying starts, the system feeds the spray lines from both ends to maintain a constant pressure and application rate.

To reduce input costs by minimising overlaps or skips, John Deere’s automatic Section Control system switches individual boom sections on and off when entering or leaving predefined areas, including headlands, while LED boom lights help to maintain high productivity at night.

6150R EX DEMO 245 hrs, Direct Drive gearbox, 50k, front and air brakes, cab and front suspension, 4 spools and

6330 PREMIUM 6804 hrs, 24x24 Autoquad, 40k, 3 spools and 633 loader, front suspension, air con, tyres 30%

6330 STANDARD 2176 hrs, owner driver, 16x16 Powerquad Plus, 3 Spools and 3 speed PTO, tyres 50%

front linkage

6830 PREMIUM 5471 hrs, owner driver, Autoquad, 50k front and air brakes, HMS, front and cab suspension, Starfire ready, air con and fridge, tyres 15%, can be sold with new tyres

7530 PREMIUM 4476 hrs, Autoquad, 50k, front and air brakes, full autosteer, HMS, front and cab suspension, 4 electric spools, air con, tyres 50%

AgriPower 7530 PREMIUM 5270 hrs, autoquad, 50k front and air brakes, 3 electric spools, electric mirrors, HMS, front and cab suspension, air con, tyres 50%

VALTRA A93 250hrs, owner driver, Electric lift with mudguard buttons, electric shuttle and declutch button, tyres 100%

JOHN DEERE 5090M One Owner from new 16.9 Tyres 70% Good Left hand reverser Hi Lo Splitter 40K Gearbox Air Seat 2 Spools Very Tidy Push out Hitch

HONDA FOREMAN QUAD 700 hrs, 500cc engine, 4wd, very good condition

VIEW ALL OUR USED MACHINERY ON

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WWW.AGRI-POWER.CO.UK

MACHINERY

JCB EXPANDS COMPACT TELEHANDLER CHOICE WITH NEW 525-60 AGRI

F

armers wanting a compact telescopic handler with efficient and lively performance have more choice in the JCB range with the launch of an Agri version of the Loadall 525-60.

The new model caters for users who do not need the full suite of features available on the high specification Agri Plus but will benefit from the class leading attributes of the 525-60 design.

With a genuine lift height of six metres, 2.5 tonnes of lift capacity and a choice of transmissions and hydraulics, the 525-60 brings efficiency and productivity features from the latest full-size Loadall handlers into the compact sector.

The new Loadall 525-60 Agri range (Agri & Agri Plus) features include: • Only 1.89m wide and just 1.97m tall but generous best in class 880mm wide cab • Two-stage boom with 2.5 tonne lift capacity and 6m lift height • 2.5-litre JCB Diesel by Kohler four-cylinder engine with 74hp (55kW) with no DPF or SCR aftertreatment • Choice of standard or 4200 kg tractive effort hydrostatic transmissions • Varispeed option for independent engine and ground speed control • 80-litre/min gear pump on the Agri or a 90-litre/min piston pump on the Agri Plus JCB Agriculture General Manager John Smith said: “Demand for compact telehandlers capable of working efficiently in and around buildings has previously been met by machines with tight dimensions but also some compromises in terms of equipment and performance.

“The new Loadall 525-60 Agri and Agri Plus are thoroughly modern, high-spec, no compromise machines that are easy to use, have exceptional rear three-quarters visibility, and can deliver a full-size machine’s performance despite their remarkably small overall dimensions.”

Measuring just 1.97m to the top of the spacious cab and only 1.89m over the tyres, the Loadall 525-60 Agri and Agri Plus will slot into the smallest of buildings and can be worked with ease around ‘traditional’ and modern farm yards thanks to unmatched all-round visibility. In particular, the low engine cover and boom pivot, which is set at the same height as a seated driver’s waist, results in exceptional right rear three-quarters visibility.

A short wheelbase provides the ultimate in four-wheel steer agility so that operators can make the most of the 2.5 tonne lift capacity and 6m lift height.

The Loadall 525-60 is powered by a 2.5-litre JCB Diesel by Kohler compact four-cylinder engine developing 74hp (55kW). Service-free emissions control results from the engine’s highly efficient combustion – there is no need for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to deal with NoX or a diesel particulates filter (DPF) to meet European Stage IV / US Tier 4 Final standards.

The new engine also promises improved fuel economy, which is helped by the variable speed reversible engine cooling fan positioned behind a wide-core radiator on both Agri and Agri Plus models.

Agri versus Agri Plus The Agri and Agri Plus versions of the Loadall 525-60 differ principally in the transmission and hydraulics departments.

The Agri version has a JCB hydrostatic transmission with two ranges for work and travel and a top speed of 25kph, delivering more than adequate performance for routine lifting, loading and carrying

duties on pig, poultry, dairy, beef and sheep units where the Loadall 525-60 is most likely to be found.

For more arduous work schedules, the Agri Plus has a 30kph high performance JCB hydrostatic transmission generating the 4200kgs tractive effort required for maximum productivity when digging into muck heaps or piles of bulk feed, and when operating in hilly areas or improved towing performance.

Both these transmissions benefit from an inching pedal to provide optimum fine transmission control, which makes it easier to draw on extra revs for maximum hydraulic flow.

Both transmissions can be equipped with Varispeed, which provides a hand throttle to set the engine revs and a dial to set the ground speed. This feature is ideal for operations involving slow speeds but a consistent flow of oil from the auxiliary circuit fitted as standard equipment to a hydraulic motor – such as on an auger feeding bucket, straw shredder or rotary yard brush.

The 525-60 Agri’s gear pump hydraulics provide oil flow up to 80-litres/min, while the load-sensing piston pump of the Agri Plus delivers up to 90-litres/min and has an improved flow sharing circuit so that multi-functioning of the lift end is more intuitive. Loading cycles are more productive with this set-up thanks to faster cycle times.

Spacious cab Operators will appreciate the spacious cabin, which at 880mm is 10% wider than the leading competitor’s machine.

Tinted glass is standard and operators will value the single lever electro servo joystick design, which provides proportional control of all hydraulic services and carries a forward/reverse roller switch selector to complement the traditional left-hand shuttle lever.

Both the Agri and Agri Plus offer the patented bucket control as standard, move the joystick sideways and the ‘bucket rattle’ feature engages and any sticky materials can be easily dislodged from the attachment. And since the amount of movement is proportional to the position of the joystick, it can also be used for precision metering – of sawdust used as bedding or feed into a trough, for example.

The Agri Plus comes with a deluxe cab package as standard offering a radio speaker kit, sun blinds, roof wiper, tilt and reach adjustable steering column, two-speed and intermittent windscreen wiper and a 12v auxiliary power socket. All these can be specified on the Agri model as an option. Both versions can have air conditioning.

Compact handler, big machine features Big handler features on the compact 525-60 include auto alignment of the wheels when switching between the two-wheel, crab and four-wheel circle steering modes, while the two-stage telescopic boom, designed for durability and trouble-free service, delivers fast handling and loading cycle times thanks to the advanced hydraulic system.

The boom comes with telescopic ram end damping on the Agri and Agri Plus versions and both are available with JCB’s highly effective Smooth Ride Suspension to minimise spills and add to the driver’s comfort over rough surfaces. Carriage options include Euro Hitch for the first time on a Loadall, enabling tractor-loader operators to switch to a telehandler and make full use of existing attachments.

WHEELED LOADER CONCEPTS LAUNCHED

F

ollowing years of research and development, and identifying key markets, Blaney Motor Company launched two new wheeled loader concepts on its stand at Northern Ireland’s Balmoral Show.

The TH1 15-48, a compact telehandler with a lifting capacity of 1,500kg and a reach of 4.8m. It’s powered by a 50hp engine and uses a hydrostatic transmission with a four-wheel-drive lockable differential if required.

26 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

The second concept to be launched at the show was the L1 10-27, which is a compact wheeled loader with a lifting capacity of 1,000kg and a reach of 2.7m. This time the engine is rated at 40hp and the unit has a hydrostatic transmission with four-wheel-drive limited slip differential.

MACHINERY

FTMTA GRASS & MUCK 2016

T

his years FTMTA Grass & Muck event held at Gurteen College on May 12th was a tremendous success with a record attendance of nearly 11,000 visitors.

Those present viewed ongoing demonstrations throughout the day in the grass, reseeding, silage pit, slurry spreading and farm yard manure spreading areas as well as visiting the numerous trade stands.

Following a morning shower, weather conditions on the day were excellent with ice cream and sun cream in equal demand in temperatures that rivaled the glorious conditions enjoyed at the first FTMTA Grass in 2010.

Grassroots Farm Magazine gave 10 entry tickets away to 5 lucky winners. The tickets went to Cavan, Monaghan, Wicklow and Armagh.

Ex Demo Vaderstad Rexius Twin 450 4.5m Wide, Raptor tines, Levelling Boards, Heaviest furrow press on the market.

Vaderstad Carrier Drill 300 Grain Drill, Levelling paddles up front. Only 700Ha o Clock, Excellent Condition â‚Ź16000

Vaderstad Rapid 400F Wheel press pivot, Cleated tyres, hydraulic fan, all metal good , mint

2001 Vaderstad Rapid 400 Wheel press pivot, Interactive Depth control, Hopper Extension, Blockage Sensors, All metal good, Like new

Vaderstad Rapid 300P 3m Pneumatic Grain Drill, Agrilla tines & Levelling Paddles. All metal 90%, Excellent Condition

08 Vaderstad Carrier 500 Levelling paddles, Steel packer, Discs 60%. Good condition

2005 BreviGlieri Mekfold 220 4m power harrow, Hydraulic folding, Standard Packer â‚Ź6500 plus vat

2013 Kverneland CLC 5m Cultivator 17 Legs, Hydraulic Folding, Rear Discs, Mint

Old Dublin Road Enniscorthy Co Wexford Tel :+353 (0)53 923 3240 Mobile: +353 (0)86 397 7751 machinery@cooneyfurlong.com

SPECIAL OFFER

on Genuine Vaderstad Wearing metal for June & July.

MAJOR DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE. For orders please phone our parts department.

W W W. C O O N E Y F U R L O N G . C O M GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 27

Morra 2060 8ft mower in good order.

2013 Aitchison Grassfarmer 2014 drill as new.

Pottinger Rake 700A, Twin rotor rake in good working order.

Rossmore 1300 tanker on BN3 tyres.

2008 Same Silver 110 power shuttle with loader.

2006 Major 1600 tanker on 21.3/24 tyres.

2006 Major 2400 LGP tanker in very good order.

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PAT RYAN Tractor Sales

TRACTORS & SPARE PARTS AT THE RIGHT PRICE

If you are looking a new or used tractor or need a spare part, look no further. We have a full range of Zetor Tractors in stock.

CALL US TODAY on 061 384 459 or on 086 831 0238 to arrange a deal that suits you.

Well worth a call to view the large range in stock.

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PAT RYAN TRACTOR SALES Coologue, Old Pallas, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 384 459 Mobile: 086 831 0238 Email: info@patryantractorsales.ie

MACHINERY

CONTRACTOR PROFILE WILLIAM ANGLAND

W

illiam Angland set up as a contractor in 2007 and covers an area of a 30 mile radius from his home in Meelin, Co. Cork.

William has a vast array of machinery, but his trademark machine or his pride and joy is the engine pump that he, his brother Sean and his father John built themselves, which took them a year to build.

Grassroots Farm Magazine caught up with William to hear about his contracting business.

What machinery do you have in your yard?

• Valtra 8150 • Rohan land leveller • Mandam disk harrow • John Deere 6830 • 2 McConnell 6500t • John Deere 6150R Hedgecutters • Kneverland reversible plough • Abro cut saw • Kuhn power harrow with apv air seeder • Umbilical cord splash plate and • Kuhn Mulcher dribble bar • Engine driven slurry pump • 2 abbey adjatators • Nc rear discharge dung • 2000 gal abbey slurry tank spreader • 2000 gal slurry Kat slurry tank • Quicke q66 loader with 9 meter dribble bar and rain gun • Cronan bale trailer What contracting activities do you do?

Our main contracting activities are slurry spreading, hedge cutting and reseeding. We also draws silage for another contractor.

What was the first tractor you drove?

A David Brown What lead you to become a contractor?

It was something I always wanted to do since I was a young fellow and I suppose it just kind of happened all of a sudden. I was always into machinery, I became a qualified mechanic and I suppose I chanced my arm and I worked away.

What was the first tractor you bought?

The Valtra 8150. It’s a good tractor, in fact it’s a great tractor and I am very happy with it.

What was your best buy?

The Valtra, your first tractor is always going to be your favourite tractor.

We have a lot of work done with it and we have a lot of hours put up on it and to be fair she has not given any trouble.

What was your worst buy?

The worst machine I bought was a second hand Samson rear discharge dung spreader. It had a lot of work done before we bought it and I suppose we bought it with the intention of doing a lot of work with it, but it gave a lot of trouble.

If money was no object, what would you buy?

I would like to buy a few more John Deere tractors and a few more machines. I would also build a shed to store my machinery.

I like John Deere, they were always a tractor we liked when we were young.

There would be a certain brand loyalty towards John Deere. We deal with Geary in Kilmeedy, they are very near home and they are very good to look after a tractor if there is a problem.

We have other John Deere’s at home on the farm as well. They are a good tractor and don’t give any trouble and as regards warranty and all that, Geary’s would be very good to look after someone. They are always there at the end of a phone call, you would never be stuck.

What has been your favourite machine that you have owned?

I like hedge cutting because it’s nice to see the hedge cut afterwards and to take pride in my work.

What is the worst or most embarrassing incident that occurred while you have been involved in contracting?

No embarrassing moments.

If John Deere did not exist, what tractor would you drive?

I would probably stick with a Valtra. Deutz Fahr are a nice tractor too.

In conversation with Eoin McCarthy

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 29

MACHINERY

HUSQVARNA AUTO MOWER POPULARITY GROWS IN WEST CORK

A

kins is Ireland’s longest established farm machinery business. It was established by John Atkins & Co in 1878 on Cork’s South Mall selling seed and farming implements.

Atkins is proud to hold the franchise for many leading makers of tractors and machinery such as Fendt, McHale, Pottinger, Bogballe and Bredal, the company also represents some of the strongest brands in the garden machinery industry such as Kubota, Husqvarna, Honda, and Briggs & Stratton.

Atkins Bandon was established 40 years ago and caters for the farming and garden machinery requirements of their customers in Bandon and all of west Cork.

While visiting their Bandon store located on the Cork Road, a Husqvarna auto mower was on display mowing the lawn. This auto mower works on the same principle to that of an electric collar for dogs to keep your dog within the boundaries of your garden. It is programmed when to cut and for how long. It cuts by following no certain route and in random patterns.

The auto mower is sensory prone and stops working if anyone touches it. Its GPS tracking will be a deterrent to thieves as it will be easily found. There is a lifetime battery in the machine, which completely looks after itself.

Each Husqvarna auto mower ranges from €1400 to €4000, which is relatively cheap compared to lawnmowers due to the fact that is no petrol costs involved. Atkins Bandon have already sold 12 Husqvarna auto mowers during the last 18 months to their customers in west Cork, the last two being sold to customers in Castletownbere and Glengarriff.

Atkins Bandon also stock leading brands such as Echo, Husqvarna and Honda lawnmowers, strimmers and chainsaws as well as Echo world class power tools, Hitachi power tools, King Tony tools, a full range of SIP products, PEL fencing products, trailer parts and LED global lights. Atkins Bandon is the only place that stock these LED global lights, which have a two year warranty.

International Comparison Test Thanks to the advantage of the in-spinning, BOGBALLE again proved to be the most accurate spreader throughout the test with the lowest CV (Coeficient of Variation). The advantage of in-spinning is more overlap between the discs, meaning the risk of deviations during full width spreading is lower.

“...Bogballe had a CV of 3.7% - the lowest of all machines in the test...”

(Farmer’s Weekly 15/4/2011) Choice of control units (manual, computer, tablet) • Integrated headland spreading as standard.

• Section control ready as standard.

• Optional weight cells for fully automatic calibration.

L1 10 – 18m 700 – 1,600L Ideal for grassland L2 12 – 24m 700 – 2,050L Wider grassland spreading / entry tillage M2 12 – 42m 1,250 – 3,000L The most accurate tillage spreader on the market M3 12 – 42m 1,800 – 4,050L For larger capacity tillage M6 12 – 42m 4,000 – 5,550L Largest mounted spreader in the world!

30 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

ATKINS FARM MACHINERY Bandon 023 884 1664

MACRA / YOUTH

“

Sean Finan, Derrie Dillion and Edmund Connolly worked very hard on this issue for the new entrant partnership and for the forgotten farmers, we encourage the minister to look at other avenues to create a fund” James Barber Chair - Ag affairs committee

MACRA NA FEIRME CALLING ON THE NEW MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE TO COMMIT TO YOUNG FARMERS

M

acra Na Feirme National President Sean Finan recently led a delegation to meet with new Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. and his officials at Ag House in Dublin.

The Macra Na Feirme delegation also included the Chair and Vice Cahir of the Agricultural Affairs Committee James Barber and Thomas Duffy along with Acting Macra C.E.O Derrie Dillion James Barber, Chair of the Agricultural Affairs Committee, spoke with Eoin McCarthy of Grassroots Farm Magazine to discuss the implications of not having a National Reserve in 2016 for young farmers.

He praised the previous Minister of Agriculture Simon Coveney for his contribution to young farmers and for the policies he introduced to help young farmers start their career in farming.

“The previous Minister Simon Coveney committed heavily to young farmers. He introduced the twenty five per cent top up, he brought young farmers into the National Reserve to bring them up to the national average”.

He also warned of the dangers of not having any National Reserve this year.

“I can see that as a Macra man a lot of farmers’ sons and daughters that are twenty three, twenty four are now at home farming in partnership which would not have happened without that twenty five per cent top up and their inclusion into the National Reserve. Now excluding young farmers from the National Reserve in 2016 you are basically creating a new category of older young farmers and we don’t seem to have learned from the previous mistakes”.

While meeting with the new Minister of Agriculture Michael Creed T.D. recently, Macra Na Feirme emphasised the importance of including young farmers into the National Reserve.

Macra Na Feirme acknowledge that the financial resources might not be available in 2016, yet they are seeking a commitment from the new Minister that young farmers are included into the 2017 National Reserve to prevent creating a new generation of forgotten farmers.

In the course of our interview, James outlined the benefits to rural Ireland of including young farmers into the National Reserve by claiming that “it is making a difference, it is creating re-generation within the industry, it is brining young people back into rural Ireland instead of having them emigrating and working in Australia or New Zealand. They are at home working in parishes in rural Ireland in west Cork, in Laois and in south Tipperary. It is working and all of a sudden it is being taken away from us”.

Hostility While seeking a linear cut to create a fund, Macra Na Feirme have encountered hostility form other farming organisations. Ironically, as James pointed out the other farming organisations “would want to realise that young farmers are also part of their organisations”. He is a member of both the IFA and the ICMSA, currently being secretary of south Laois ICMSA and chairman of Rathdowney IFA. “As a member of another farming organisation said to me he doesn’t want money took off him to create a fund to give it to someone else” claimed James, however young farmers are looking for them [Department of Agriculture] to explore other avenues to create a fund.

“We are just asking for an allocation of money to create a fund to level the playing field for young farmers so they can go out and compete with established farmers for land to create a career in agriculture and create regeneration in rural Ireland” he said.

Expression of gratitude James Barber would like to thank the new Minister of Agriculture Michael Creed T.D. for meeting and engaging with the Macra delegation.

They are seeking a commitment from the new Minister of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture to young farmers otherwise the progress made under Simon Coveney’s watch will be undone.

“We would like the new minister and the new government and the department to commit to young farmers to continue the good work that Simon Coveney has done in creating re-generation and to not create a new category of forgotten farmers by excluding young farmers from the National Reserve” He claimed that “the new minister has to stand up for young farmers, he has to deliver for young farmers because if stop this and we create any kind of roadblock there to create re generation the industry is going to suffer rural Ireland is going to suffer”.

He also highlighted the advantages of training courses such as AI courses or business courses offered by Macra through the Skillsnet programme to create better farmers.

“If we don’t have the schemes to keep those young farmers in rural Ireland and not have them to go half ways across the world to make a living all that work is going to be lost to the industry. We are going to have a poorer industry if we don’t have young people coming in” he added.

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MACRA / YOUTH

SEANDUN TEAM WIN MACRA IMPROMPTU DEBATING COMPETITION

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he team from Carrigaline Macra won this year’s National Impromptu Debating competition. The final of the competition took place on 7th May, at the Macra AGM in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

The special prize of Best Debater went to James Brennan from East Laois, Macra, Co. Laois. Runners up were East Laois Macra, Co. Laois.

The Carrigaline Macra team have now won themselves a place on the Macra Prizewinner’s Trip which will take place later this year.

Macra National President, Seán Finan, attending the final of the competition on the night, congratulated Carrigaline Macra on their skilful debating. It was a very entertaining debate and again proves the opportunities within Macra for members to develop their debating and speaking skills, which will stand to them in their future professional and personal lives.’

Opposite: Macra na Fierne National AGM at the Abbeycourt Nenagh. Sean Finan, President of Macra na Feirme presents the Winners of the Impromptu Debating to Rona Coghlan, David O’Sullivan, Trisha Delahunty, Carrigaline Macra Picture Brendan Gleeson

75 YEARS OF VIRGINIA SHOW

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ith prize money of over €40,000, continued efforts are underway to get ready for this years show which promises to be picture perfect.

Over 200 hardworking committee members and almost 500 classes with over 3,000 entries, a lot goes on behind the scene and Chairperson, Sean Farrelly and Secretary, Mary Gaynor

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY!

Join the celebrations…

049 854 7197 www.virgianiashow.com virginiashow@eircom.net www.facebook.com/virginiashow.com

Showgrounds, Virginia, Co. Cavan.

75th Anniversary

Virginia Show

WED 24TH AUG 2016 32 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

work hard to ensure all goes without fault.

The show committee is getting ready for this year’s show since last year and this is evident in the list of attractions on the table for the 2016 show. Whether its cattle, horses, sheep, poultry, dogs, home industries, children’s classes or art & craft is your thing, there is something for everyone from National Finals to National Qualifiers, this year’s prize list will soon be available online.

Virginia Show attracts over 15,000 people to Cavan every year, there is an all-encompassing range of events to suits all tastes, up to 300 trade stands, live entertainment, artisan food producers, cookery demonstration by Neven Maguire, fashion shows, sheep shearing demonstrations, dog agility competitions and children’s entertainment, it is the definitive lifestyle event.

Virginia Show promotes all that is good in rural Ireland; it has expanded from its agricultural base to hold an interest for all the family. Virginia Agricultural Show has long been renowned as an event with visitors from all over Ireland and the UK traveling to Cavan every August. So note the date, Wednesday 24th of August, definitely one for the diary.

Bus tours are now catered for with close proximity parking at reduced rates.

Sincere thanks is expressed to all show sponsors with whom we are delighted to be associated with, it is this generous sponsorship that makes it possible to run a show the magnitude of Virginia.

The Baileys Cow is one of the highlights of the Virginia Show’s schedule, and is back for its 33rd year at the Virginia Show on Wednesday August 24 th which is celebrating its 75 th anniversary this year.

Diageo Bailey Irish Champion Dairy Cow competition dates back to 1983 and rewards strength and form in body conformation as well as proven excellence in quality milk production.

Diageo Bailey Irish Champion Dairy Cow competition is widely acknowledged as Ireland’s top dairy livestock event, attracting the super-elite of the Holstein Friesian breed, the top awards in the €10,000 prize fund.

The 2016 Virginia Agricultural Show will take place on Wednesday 24th August. Organisers can be contacted at 049 8547197 or email virginiashow@eircom.net. Exhibitors & Trade Stands enquiries very welcome.

SHOWS

Through the Lens @ Tullamore Show Launch Images by Jeff Harvey

Tullamore Show chairman Rodney Cox and secretary Freda Kinnarney with guest speaker George Lee at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Victor Wilson of Peemore Engineering, Florence Wilson, Tommy Finlay, Dairy Cattle and Liam Cahill of Lakeland Dairies at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Tullamore Show Executive at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Eoin Ryan ABP Ireland with Show Secretary Freda Kinnarney and Chairman Rodney Cox at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Tullamore Show chairman Rodney Cox and secretary Freda Kinnarney with guest speaker George Lee and Eddie Buckley, AIB at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Elma Kinnahan, Stephanie Murphy, Show Secretary Freda Kinnarney, Chelsea Cox, Ciara Kinnarney and Mary McDonald with guest Speaker George Lee at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Back left: Show chairman Rodney Cox and Tullamore Show Youth Initiative’s Stephen Kelly, Conor Dolan, Chris Gethings, Colin O’Rourke, Shane Gonoude, (front) Marie Conroy, Triona Dunne, and Nicholas Berry with guest speaker George Lee at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Killian Joyce of Joyces Saddlery Warehouse, Noel Sheridan of Moyvalley Meats, Carmel Joyce of Joyces Saddlery Warehouse, Cecil Cox, Pedigree Cattle, John Searson, Irish Charolais Society and Michael Dolan, Commercial Cattle at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Mary Gleeson, Richard Hamilton from Gurteen College, Liam Maguire of Trans-Embryo and Noreen Barry and Tommy Finlay, Dairy Cattle at the Tullamore Show Sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

34 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

SHOWS

Busy Months Ahead in Tullamore

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ullamore will be the centre of the universe for the agricultural world this year, with the two premier events in the Agricultural calendar taking place in the Tullamore area. It kicks off with Irelands Premier Show, the Tullamore Show and AIB National Livestock Show on Sunday August 14 th , when over 60,000 people are expected to attend. September will see the staging of The National Ploughing Championships which is being held in Screggan.

The show promises to be the best on record this year with several new events, including the introduction of a Country Jamboree, featuring Micheal English and his band topping the bill. The massively successful trade show with over 700 stands is now booked out. It will be possible to shop for anything from the newest model tractor or car to the latest appliance for the home or garden.

The show is Ireland’s best country lifestyle showcase, with an eclectic mix of the latest technology and wonderful exhibition of household goods, inventions and vintage. The show has over 1000 competitions vying for the huge prize fund of 168,000. ICBF will also be monitoring animals with the highest replacement index values. Ireland’s best pedigree, commercial and diary cattle compete for the coveted gold medal awards, as well as wonderful displays and exhibitions of the best produce in Ireland.

This unique event is the highlight of the summer for the agricultural scene and is an event which draws spectators from all over Ireland, not alone are they there to see the livestock but also the Macra national Farm Skills final, art and photography competitions, one of the best flower and horticultural shows in Ireland, a fabulous vintage show which has machinery going back over a century and many other exhibitions, demonstrations and events. It is a unique family occasion, with something for everyone as well as a huge array of shops and trade stands at the show.

The schedule of events is now available online. The simple to operate system allows easy access to enter the various classes, but a hard copy version may be

At the recent launch of Tullamore Show which will take place on Sunday 14 th August were (L to R) Noreen Lacey, AIB, Robert Mulhall. Head of Retail, Corporate and Business Banking AIB, Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Rodney Cox, Show Chairman and Freda Kinnarney, Secretary Administrator.

obtained from the Show Office. The website contains a host of information on all the various activities. Reduced rate admission tickets may also be purchased online at www.tullamoreshow.com.

Tullamore Show chairman Rodney Cox wishes to thank all the people who took part in the show last year and is looking forward to a tremendous turnout, especially with the major new attraction of the country jamboree featuring Michael English amongst others. Sunday 14 th August, is the date for the diary and is set to be the biggest and the best show yet.

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 35

SHOWS

VINTAGE FEVER AT CORK SUMMER SHOW The Cork Summer Show is one of the largest events of its kind in Ireland attracting over 50,000 visitors in 2015.

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rganised by the Munster Agricultural Society, the Cork Summer Show has been running in one form or another for over 200 years, since 1806.

It is Cork’s oldest and largest agricultural, gardening, food and family event which takes place every June in Curraheen, Cork.

Preparations are in full swing for this year’s Cork Summer Show, which takes place at the Curraheen Showgrounds, (near Cork City) on the 18th and 19th June. This event has been a summer highlight in Cork for over 200 years and is not to be missed! Many of you will have seen the RTÉ Nationwide coverage of the Show, in which Courtbrack Vintage Society also featured, last year.

For the fifth year in a row, the Munster Agricultural Society, who run the Cork Summer Show, have again tasked Courtbrack Vintage Society with organising the vintage display for the Show, and this year, plans are afoot to change it up a gear. We know how important it is to the Munster Agricultural Society that younger generations can experience and learn about the farm implements that pioneered the way for the modern farming methods used today, and we are passionate about preserving the past for future generations to experience. It is with this in mind that this year’s display will not only be a vintage display, but a working day also. There will be an Old Time Threshing display on both the Saturday and Sunday, with an Allis Chambers round baler on hand to bale the straw. Also on hand will be Matt Murphy’s Massey Ferguson 735 Combine Harvester to clear up any leftovers. Again this year, Donal O’Callaghan from Ovens will be roaming around the vintage enclosure in his vintage steam roller, so stand clear or you’ll get a blast of its steam whistle!

If vintage machinery isn’t your thing, then perhaps the large display of vintage cars, each one looking as new as the day it left the factory, will interest you. The Great American Steel Car Club will also have cars on display for those who prefer a little American muscle! As if all that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, this year, for the first year, there is going to be a vintage village where you can see bastible baking, butter making, arts and crafts, and even a copper smith giving a working demonstration.

There will also be plenty other sideshows over the weekend, including an autojumble for those vintage enthusiasts looking for that elusive tractor or car part.

To ensure you are also entertained over the weekend, there will be live music by The Irish Weavers, with performances also by the very talented Donoughmore Set Dancers.

The 2016 Cork Sumer Show promises to be a huge success with the Courtbrack Vintage Society display perfectly complimenting the modern agricultural displays of the Munster Agricultural Society.

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SHOWS

Charleville Agricultural Show 2016

CHARLEVILLE AGRICULTURAL SHOW Sat June 25th & Sun June 26th 2016 At Pike Cross, Ballyhea, Charleville, Co. Cork Show will be officially opened on Saturday at 1.00pm by Minister for Agriculture Mr Michael Creed T.D. Full Schedule of Showing Horses & Ponies, Show Jumping, Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Pony Club Games, Decorative Classes, Horticulture, Adult & Children’s Arts, Crafts & Cookery, Trade Stands, Pets Corner, Beagles, Old Time Crafts, Vintage Display, Dog Show, Best Dressed Family, Baby Show, and lots more Entertainment: Comhaltas CCE An Rath

A FUN DAY FOR ALL THE FAMILY A SHOW NOT TO BE MISSED Ample Extra Car parking available adjacent to Show Grounds

Show Office open at Main St, Charleville Visit our website on

www.charlevilleshow.com Tel: 087 944 4083 or 063 89599

P

reparations are well underway for our 37th Annual Show, which will be held on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June 2016. In recent years the show had to secure additional land due to the continuous expansion of our show. The show grounds was upgraded with new roadways again last year to accommodate pedestrian and vehicular traffic to make getting around the grounds much easier.It has been announced this year that recently appointed Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed will officially open Charleville Show.

The show is now the largest two day agricultural show in the country with numerous exciting and interesting events to be seen, varying from judging of cattle, horses, sheep, horticulture, dogs, arts & crafts , cookery and numerous children’s competitions. t time of press, entries are already pouring in to the show office which is a great indication of the variety of classes on offer and also the very attractive prize money given in all the classes. The committee acknowledge the generous support of their sponsors, especially the major sponsors Kerry Agribusiness, it would not be possible for us to run our show at such high standards.

Charleville Show contributes its success to the fact that it is community based and that all the committee work on a voluntary basis, also all the help they receive from young and old the week prior to the show and on the two days of the show.

Chainsaw Carving and Tree Climbing are new attractions at this years show. The judging of the Dairy Section will take place on Saturday with a total of 22 different classes including 3 Handlers Classes. he highlight of the day will be the judging of the All Ireland Junior Cow confined to second calvers with a prize fund of over €2,000.

On Saturday the show will also host the beef classes in the Cattle classes. There will be classes for Limousin, Belgian blue, Charolais, Simmental, Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Beef Shorthorn and Parthenaise breeds of cattle along with commercial and handler classes.

The highlight of our beef section will be the Supreme Champion & Reserve Champion of the Show for both Senior and Calf Classes sponsored by Dawn Meats, Charleville and FBD Insurance. The sheep classes will be judged by well known judges on Sunday starting at 12 noon. There will be entries of pedigree breeds like Suffolk, Texel, Vendeen and Charollais as well as commercial cross bred sheep. The pedigree showing classes consist of ram and ewe classes of various ages.

Sunday is the big day for the vintage rally, which will have another big entry of static engines, steam engines, vintage trucks, cars, tractors, motor cycles and the ever popular stalls where all kinds of accessories for these vintage machines are available. The owners will also be in with a chance of winning one of many trophies for the best turned out vehicles on the day. These include the coveted Dick Bradley Trophy.

There will be a Guinness World Record attempt 2016 for Sheaf Tossing. In recent years, Sheaf Tossing has become a big part of the show and has been continuously growing from strength to strength.The Sheaf Toss dates back to the Medieval Ages as a farming competition. This year there will be an attempt to set an official Guinness World record for the highest throw on Sunday at 2pm.

Four arenas will be buzzing with activity on Saturday with Show Ponies, Show Hunter Ponies, Working Hunter Ponies and Mares/Young Stock being put through their paces for a varied team of judges from both England and Ireland. This year there is a big emphasis on the beloved Connemara pony with three in hand show classes devoted to the breed. This year Charleville Show is continuing its promotion of the Irish Broodmare by retaining the ‘Horse Sport Ireland Broodmare Championship’.

The regular schedule of horses take place on Sunday.

Screams of excitement will hopefully add to the atmosphere of the show when the Pony Club Games begin on Sunday afternoon. Here accuracy, speed and skill of both pony and rider will be tested in various relay games. There is going to be plenty of action for all the family in the Showjumping Arenas with competitions varying from Newcomer Ponies and Sportsmans to the 1.35 Connolly’s Red Mills Grand Prix and Munster 1.20m FBD League. On Sunday Ireland’s top riders will battle it out in the main arena at 1pm for their share of the €4,500 prize fund in the 1.40m TRM / Horseware National Grand Prix. This year has seen the introduction of two new and exciting classes the Charleville Agricultural Show 5 Year and 6/7 Year Old Grand Prix.

GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016 37

AGRI BUSINESS

BREXIT BAD FOR IRISH AGRICULTURE IFA PRESIDENT APPEALS TO FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO VOTE TO REMAIN

I

FA President Joe Healy has warned that a British exit from the EU would be very damaging for the farming and food sector in Ireland. Speaking at a briefing with representatives from the agrifood industry held in Dublin in early June, the IFA President appealed to the Irish community living in the UK to support the position that keeps the EU intact.

He said, “From an Irish farming and agri-food perspective, it is hugely important for Ireland that the UK remains within the EU. While a UK exit from the EU would be negative overall for the Irish economy, the stakes are highest for farming and the agri-food sector, with our huge dependence on the UK market for our €4.4bn exports, the shared land border, and the potential impact on the CAP budget”.

The UK represents our most important agri-food export market, accounting for over 40% of Irish agricultural exports. It is the destination for over 50% of our beef, 60% of our cheese, €350m worth of pigmeat exports and almost 100% of our mushroom exports. It is a high-value market, with customers sharing the same language and with similar consumer preferences as Irish customers.

Joe Healy said, “Should the UK vote to leave the EU, Irish agriculture would undoubtedly suffer negative consequences, both in the short-term and the longer term. Already in 2016, we have seen a weakening of sterling against the euro, arising mainly from the uncertainty on the referendum outcome. This has reduced the competitiveness of Irish exports, with a disproportionate impact on the Irish agri-food sector”.

In the longer term, the uncertainties presented by the changed trading relationship between the UK and EU pose a significant threat, with the potential reintroduction of tariffs, quotas, and border controls. The costs of trading with the UK would, inevitably, rise. In addition, the threat of displacement of Irish product from the UK market is very real, should

38 GRASS ROOTS June / July 2016

the UK enter into preferential trade agreements with other exporting countries.

Joe Healy said the consequences of the changed trading relationship would extend to other areas, such as animal health. With a shared land border between Ireland and the UK, the risks to the health of the animal population would increase, if, over time, different regulatory regimes were pursued between Ireland and the UK. The UK is a net contributor of €8bn the EU budget, and its withdrawal would put pressure on the CAP budget. Irish agriculture is a significant beneficiary from the CAP budget, receiving over €1.5bn annually through Direct Payments and the Rural Development programme.

Ireland and the UK joined the EEC together over 40 years ago. As part of an EU of 28 diverse Member States, our shared strong economic, social and cultural links make the UK a very important partner and ally in Europe. There are many risks arising from a potential UK exit from the EU. It is IFA’s strong position that Irish agriculture, the agri-food sector, and overall economy are stronger with a UK operating from within the EU. Concluding, Mr Healy said, “With a long history of emigration to the UK to find work, all Irish farm families have family members, relatives and friends living in the UK and eligible to vote.

We are asking farm families, families in rural Ireland and across the country to communicate the concerns and risks that we are highlighting today.

Our appeal is to those voting to take the concerns into account and to vote for the UK to remain within the EU”.

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