Farming September 2011

farming guide

Monday 19th September

BULL & HEIFER WEANLINGS SHEEP SALE (Fat, Store and Breeding) Tuesday 20th September

BULLOCKS, HEIFERS & COWS

PLEASE NOTE: Change of Time for Prebooking to 9am Prebooking of Weanlings: Thursday 9am / Prebooking of Bks, Hfrs & Cows: Friday 9am Please note:Sat 1st Oct, 4th Annual Show & Sale of Mayo/Sligo Black faced Mountain Breeding Ewes and Lambs.

Prebooking No. 096-22555

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farmingnews

Huge rise in scrap metal prices leads to crime wave

THE boom in commodities is not all good news for farming communities as the rate of metal theft reached new extremes in recent weeks.

With more than €5,000/t on offer from merchants for scrap copper, or ¤200/t for scrap steel,

thieves are stripping vehicles of their batteries, raiding churches and stealing metal sculptures and telephone wires.

The situation has prompted the IFA to call for the immediate introduction of a metal compliance

scheme similar to those operated

by Repak.

Rural affairs chairman Pat Farrell said that farm households have been left without a phone service after thieves removed copper phone cabling.

"Even manhole covers are being stolen throughout the country in addition to batteries, farm machinery and scrap metal being taken out of farmyards," he said. "In Cork, thieves are stealing road signs while in the midlands thefts of copper pipes, cylinders and radiators from homes and sports club facilities are being reported."

St Kevin's Church, in Shanakiel, Co Cork, was stripped of all its lead and copper last month. Meanwhile, seven level-crossing gates were stolen in the last week in Co Roscommon.

Mr Farrell believes that the current review of the national waste strategy by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, provides a real opportunity to track scrap thieves.

Copper prices are up 23pc this year. Aluminium has gone up 15pc over the past 12 months, with prices at €770-900/t. Prices for steel are at €150-200/t

Live exporter says he favours Charolais over Belgian Blue THE Italian market no longer favours well muscled Belgian Blue (BB) weanlings, according to David Garavelli, one of the largest live exporters in the country.

Garavelli was addressing a crowd of over 300 farmers at a special suckler demonstration held in Co Roscommon last Saturday and organised

by Elphin Livestock Mart and Teagasc. He told farmers that a few years ago the market for BB weanlings was ''up and coming''.

However, he said ''we have over-stepped the mark and finishers are realising that the returns generated from finishing BB weanlings are lower when compared to returns generated from Charolais weanlings (CH)''.

According to Garavelli the market for BB is not only highly specialised but is contracting.

On the other hand, the market for CH cattle was described as being much more diverse.

The Westmeath based exporter also highlighted the growth rate and meat quality of the CH as being superior. He told farmers that in relation to liveweight gain Italian feedlots viewed crossbred CH weanlings from Ireland as superior to purebreds from France.

He said ''liveweight gain on French purebreds was 2% lower than from Irish crossbreeds''. In relation to meeting market demands into the future Garavelli advised farmers to go down the CH route and invest in quality cows. He accepted that a few years ago he would have advised differently but based his turnaround on changing market requirements.

The live exporter, who exports Irish cattle across Europe, painted an upbeat picture in relation to market demand and price prospects for the autumn.

He told farmers that Italian beef prices were on the up and the numbers of animals in feedlots was currently very low. With silage pits now full of maize a strong demand for weanlings from Italy was forecast for this autumn. The opening of the Turkish market for French beef and live cattle from the start of September was also highlighted as a major positive. Garavelli believed that the price of French weanlings would increase sharply amid strong competition from both Turkey and Italy. France is by far the largest supplier of weanlings to Italy with over 70% market share.

Ireland, with just a 4% market share, would stand to benefit from any increase in the price of French weanlings.

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Bulls (fit for service) Heifers Recipients with pedigree calves at foot Recipients with pedigree embryos Frozen Embryo’s Show 10am - Sale 1pm Enquries: The Irish Belgian Blue Cattle Society Telephone: 0504-43870 or www..ibbcs.com

ploughingchampionships

It’s Not Just Tractors and Machinery at the National Ploughing Championships

T

here is a lot happening at this year’s ploughing Championship and it not just for the farming or machinery enthusiasts. This year there is a host of fun events, shows, stands and competitions to suit just about everybody.

For example, this year the Ploughing Championship plays host to the first ever Husqvarna Pole Climbing Competition. This event will see competitors race up and down two poles which are 30 Metres in height in a bid for the title. Favourite for the first all Ireland title, many would suggest, is former world champion pole climber,Terry Bennett. In addition, Husqvarna are also hosting the Axe Factor, which features trained Axemen entertaining and wowing the crowds with their skill and mastering of chainsaws.

There will be a JFC Fencing Demonstrations throughout the 3 days. The Skoda stand is also worth checking out for the 4x4 off road driving course that demonstrates the 4x4 capabilities of the Skoda Yeti. Patrons have a chance to sit-in with professional drivers as they maneuver a series of obstacles in Yeti’s 4x4.

For Rugby fans attending, there is a chance to meet some of the Munster Rugby team and have your picture taken with the Magners League Trophy. Both Players and Trophy will be on site at the Munster Rugby Store stand. In addition, the Avonmore Milk Bar stand will play host to several members of

both the Kilkenny Hurling team and Munster Rugby Team. Given its success with the public last year, the Sheep Shearing demonstration is taking place again at the Ploughing Championships this year and the All Ireland Lamb Shearing will take place on Wednesday.

This proved to be a huge attraction last year and spectators have a chance to see the Shearers in action again each day of the event.

This year the national ploughing Championships will feature an Interactive Car Crash experience, in association with the Road Safety Authority. Visitors to the site will be given the chance to experience first-hand, what it is like to be involved in a car crash.

The Roll-Over Simulator is a car fitted to a hydraulic platform which can simulate a 180 degree roll-over, rendering the car upsidedown. This demonstration gives both drivers and passengers a real sense of being involved in a Car Crash and the frightening experience of being suspended upside-down from their seat belts. Another interactive experience available to this year’s patrons is the simulated experience of driving a Formula 1 race car.

This is being provided at Formula 1 Car Hire stand.

Also taking place at the event is the Irish Farmers Journal Country Sound Pavilion.This will see both Irish and International Country stars showcase their talents along with meeting their fans at their individual stands within the pavilion.This is not only a first for the Irish

Ploughing Championship but the first of its kind in Ireland. Fans will also get a chance to see some of their favourite country stars at the NPA Bandstand. The bandstand will provide musical entertainment throughout the three days with acts such as Robert Mizzell, Georgette Jones, Liam O’Connor, Mick Flavin and Mike Denver taking to the stage A huge attraction for the ladies last year was the daily fashion shows and they are sure to prove a hit again this year. Along with this, Sunway Holidays are sponsoring a “most appropriately dressed lady” competition with a first prize of a holiday for two to Lanzarote. Louis Copeland is sponsoring the “most appropriately dressed man” competition with a prize of a tailored suit up for grabs.

Some of the big hits with the kids last year are returning once again. These include the Carnival, the toy shops and the Outdoor Radio Broadcasts featuring many celebrity presenters visiting the ploughing. The Mounted Pony Games and Hunt Chase along with the Sheepdog Trials are great speed trials that the young people enjoy. Of course the tractors, huge machines and many promotions, competitions and freebies are always first for the kids find in on arrival. The European Union stand will also be stocked with childrens publications, colouring books and pencils, quizzes and interesting maps.

In addition to all these activates, the Ploughing championships will also feature

Celebrity Cookery Demonstrations, Vintage Machinery Exhibitions and Demonstrations, Meggers, Food Tasting, Horse Ploughing, Loy Digging, a “Ploughing through the years” exhibition, Wine Tasting, an Innovations Area, Vintage Tractor Speed Build Trials and an Animal Pharmacy.

Taking place at the Cully and Scully stand are Blind Tastings, Butter making and Cookery demonstrations.The Marie Keating Foundation’s Mobile Health Information units will be on site manned by a registered nurse who is available to give information and advice on any health related matters. This service is completely free of charge and no appointment is necessary.

You can look for beauty advice and receive a mini- makeover, get a foot scan, relax in a health massage chair and choose from a selection of make-up, skincare products on the various exhibits. There will be enough retail therapy to keep you going for at least one day of the event and it’s arguable that you will find just about everything at the Ploughing.

The National Ploughing Championships 2011 takes place in Cardenton, Athy from Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd September.

Tickets for 80th annual National Ploughing Championships are available by calling the NPA office on 059 8625125 or logging on to www.npa.ie.A special Bus Éireann shuttle-bus service will run to the site from train-stations in Portarlington, Kildare and Athy.

farmingnews

Ciolos's CAP vision begins to take hold

THE latest leaked document on CAP reform from Brussels confirms that farm Comissioner Ciolos's vision of greener, flat-rate farm payments is one step closer to becoming reality.

Despite warnings from farm organisations about the damage the proposals will cause to to farm incomes, it now appears the Commission is focusing on ironing out the details before Dacian Ciolos officially launches the package on October 12. Under the proposals, the SFP is to be replaced by a Single Area Payment (SAP) scheme in 2014.This will then become a reference year for future payments.

National and regional per hectare payments will then be calculated using this as a baseline.

It has been suggested that farmer payments for 2014 would initially be calculated on a mix of the historic and area-based methods, with a transition on a phased basis to a total flat rate payment by January 1, 2019.

The latest document closely follows the proposals included in pre-

vious drafts.

These include: The two-pillar structure of CAP is to be retained, with member states given more leeway to co-finance Pillar II, which mainly governs rural development.

Environmental payments, or 'greening', to become an integral part of a farm payments package, with farmers required to carry out such practices as crop diversification, maintenance of permanent pasture or other measures to secure additional payments which will account for 30pc of the total entitlement.

Payments to individual farmers and farm businesses to be capped, although account will be taken of the employment units provided. Payments are to be capped at €300,000, with a claw-back of 20-70pc introduced on a sliding scale for payments between €150,000 and €300,000.

Targeted payments amounting to 2pc of the national ceiling to assist young farmers. Up to 3pc of the national ceiling to fund a national reserve. Lump sum payment of €500-

Finishing is a delicate operation

WITH record beef prices and correspondingly high store and feed prices, caution is urged on all fronts for the coming winter for those contemplating filling their sheds.

The cycle of low autumn beef prices and low autumn store prices seems to be well and truly a thing of the past.

The autumn/spring 'price break' is what traditionally fuelled profitability in the winter finishing sector and with the exception of last winter, has not been a feature of the beef trade for many years.

Last winter's unexpected and welcome beef price rise of almost 18pc between September and April/May is unlikely to be replicated this winter. A realistic budgeted increase of 5-10pc is a more likely figure to be working off this year, but doing your figures is essential before purchasing any store cattle.

The sight of lean, "poorly done", "big for weight" stores is also very uncommon this autumn.

The excellent grass season we have just had has left the traditional store very scarce.

All buyers around the rings are encountering very fleshy animals that will take very little time to finish.The consequences of holding these animals on feed for the normal 100/140 day feeding period will result in possible over-fat carcasses which are of no benefit to the farmer or the processor. Cattle need to be fed correctly when housed in order to reduce the time spent on feed. Projected average daily feed cost are over €3/hd in a lot of cases for mature animals, largely as a result of purchased beef blends being €60-80/t over the corresponding time last year. This will have a huge negative effect on the daily feed cost of the finishing animal. Finishers should make optimum use of

1,000 instead of the SAP for small holders.

However, in a change from earlier drafts which will hit arable farms, the document proposes an increase from 5pc to 7pc in the area of eligible land, excluding grassland, which must be set aside as ecological focus areas. These are either areas left fallow, planted with forestry or marked off as buffer strips.

Meanwhile, the draft document has proposed that market measures such as intervention, aid to private storage and export refunds should be financed via a €3.5bn 'emergency reserve', which for the first time will fall outside Pillar I of the CAP. ICSA national president Gabriel Gilmartin has strongly attacked the proposals for a reformed CAP. He claimed that a flat-rate payment might sound good in theory but it won't work in practice.

"The Commission's obsession with a uniform flat rate is simply unworkable and the timeframe of achieving it by 2019 would completely destroy the viability of too many active farmers," Mr Gilmartin said.

He added that the key problem was that the average payment per eligible hectare for Ireland, which is €270/ha, was too low for the vast bulk of committed and active farmers who typically depended on current payments in the order of €360-€600.

IFA president John Bryan slammed the decision to make 2014 a reference year. He said the move would cause massive disruption in the farm sector. Mr Bryan called on Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to act to secure a flexible payment system that will ensure the SFP in Ireland is targeted towards active and productive farmers.

Fury at cut in milk price

THE Irish Dairy Board (IDB) has reduced its prices for skim milk powder by €100/t, which equates to a reduction of 4.25c/l on all supplies bought by the IDB last month. Butter prices were unchanged.

Overall, the IDB's Purchase Price Index fell from 109 to 106.9 for last month.

The ICMSA reacted angrily, saying that there was no basis for any reduction in dairy product prices at the moment.

Dairy chairman Pat McCormack said co-ops should be increasing milk price based on the evidence of increased profitability in the half-yearly profits of the two biggest plc processors.

"While powder prices may have weakened somewhat in early August, they have improved in recent weeks," he said. Mr McCormack was also critical of the IDB's new purchase price index system, which he said was clouding what the IDB was actually paying. Meanwhile, it is rumoured Lakelands has canvassed Donegal Creameries NI milk suppliers. Estimates put the milk pool nabbed at 10-12m litres.

Record high for factories as price fall is just 2c/kg

BEEF processors paid an average of 5c/kg more than their quoted prices for cattle to maintain supplies during August, according to figures comhome-grown cereals, when available, to cut costs and im- piled by the Department of Agriculture.

In the process, the factories set an unlikely new all-time record high for prove performance. I am regularly formulating finisher diets using high quality forage and cereals that are costing slightly beef for the month.

The Department database shows an average base price of 363c/kg was in excess of €2 per head per day. Feeders cannot afford to exceed these types of costings and expect any margin paid for R=3= steers, while the average base for R=3= heifers was 373c/kg. from finishing this winter.

It was also the first time in several decades that the average price fall This winter it is essential that animals achieve their maxover the course of the summer was just 2c/kg, a sure sign that factory imum potential for every day that they are housed. Simple housing routines such as correct grouping of animals and supplies are under severe pressure.

But farmers will be unhappy with the fact that the price penalties for not sickening animals by over feeding will greatly reduce days to slaughter and increase your margin. Almost every poor grading animals are several multiples of the bonuses being offered cattleyard has an abundance of grass silage this year. The for premium quality cattle.

This disparity in the pricing structure would appear to favour the beef silage analysis results I am seeing are also well above the avprocessors, given that lower grade cattle grading O outnumber those erage, so maximum use should be made of this resource.

Better nutrition improves live weight gain, grading, kill- grading U by over seven to one. The average premium over the base out percentages and meat quality, as well as reducing fat, so price for U=3= steers was 15c/kg, while an average penalty of 23c/kg was all effort should be put into selecting the correct concen- applied to O=4= steers.

There was also a wide variation between individual factories on the trate to match the forage being used and the type of anipremiums and penalties applied. mal being fed.

The premium for U=3= ranged from 13-20c/kg during the month.

Greater co-operation between farmers and processing factories is essential for the survival of the winter-finishing However, penalty for O=4= grades was more than double this with a sector. Perhaps now is the time that the main retailers range of 18-41c/kg between different plants.

A penalty of 41c/kg reduced the returns for an average weight steer by should step in to help and show some 'social responsibil€135 when compared to the base price. ity'.

The IFA has urged farmers to consider selling more cattle through the There is very little sign of forward contracts being offered this autumn. Contracting on price is essential for the mart system for the most competitive prices.

Intake figures from the factories show that there was a decline of 3pc winter finishing sector but it can also have a negative effect. in the steer kill compared to the same month in 2010. Heifer supplies It can be used by finishers as an excuse to pay higher store prices than necessary, pay too much for feed and see them were just over 1pc higher than 2010. The demand for cattle during the take their eye off the ball with regard to cattle perform- month underlined the strength of the beef export markets and is contributing to a positive season for producers. ance.

Interesting Statistics about the Ploughing Championships

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THIS year marks 80 years of the National Ploughing Association and in that time it has grown from a small one field site to an event requiring over 700 acres of land. To demonstrate the size of this event, below are some of the interesting facts and figures that are needed to stage the championships: • Preparations and plans for this year’s event began just 4 days after last year’s competition finished.

• Last year, over 180,000 people converged on the Athy site over the 3 days, making the Ploughing Championships the largest event of its kind in Ireland and attracting people from not only across Ireland but across Europe and further afield.

• The land area needed for staging this year’s event comprises of 400 acres of car parking space, 200 acres for the ploughing competitions, 80 acres for trade/ stand exhibitors and an area of approximately 25 acres for demonstrations.

• Over 500 temporary staff, mostly comprised of volunteers are required for the smooth running of the event this year including over 100 judges and supervisors for the Ploughing Competitions.

• It is estimated that the National Ploughing Championships will generate in excess of €10 million for the local economy.

• Over 1,100 exhibitors will be manning stands at the event.

• The laying of 6,000 panels of Trakway is now

well underway. This represents about 15 kilometres of track throughout the entire site • 6 x 800 plus 6 x 600 KVA generators are required on site this year with a huge 45,000 kilometres of electrical cable needed to power the entire venue • The catering section on site will employ over 1,000 people during the three days. Within this catering section: • There will be approximately 150,000 bottles of Coca Cola products drank.

• 15 tonnes of beef will be sold at the event.

• There will be one Irish produced quarter pounder burger sold every second.

• There will be one chicken fillet sold every 10 seconds • Approximately 20 tonne of Irish potatoes will be used • 25,000 breakfasts / breakfast rolls sold each day.

• 200,000 gallons of water will be used.

• The number of Gardaí required over the 3 days will be in excess of 180.

• There will be 427 individual exhibitor tents and marquees throughout the site.

• This year just under 4000 fencing panels are needed. This represents over 14 kilometres of fencing.

• Over the 3 days, there will be approximately 350 heads of cattle on site. Some of these value in the region of €20,000 – €30,000 each.

• The number livestock between cattle and sheep is estimated at 800, many of these will be valued between €4000 and €5000 each.

• To feed and keep this live stock, up to 300 round bales of straw is required. In addition, 100 bales of hay and up to 7 tonnes of meal are needed.

The above are some of the statistics that are involved with the organisation, planning and running of this year’s event which takes place at Cardenton in Athy from Tuesday 20th to 22nd of September.

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aving completed a busy summer of harvesting spraying and fertilising, Green Belt are now welcoming enquiries for new planting applications. Ian Fitzpatrick pointed out that “at this present time, the department are seeking out in particular, poorer agricultural ground i.e. rushy or somewhat overgrown fields”.

With the planting season fast approaching in November, now is the ideal time to begin the application for planting approval and grant funding.

Ian noted that “Green Belt has long been associated with forestry in the northwest and has a proven track record when it comes to managing forests from establishment to harvesting, nowadays it is vital that the landowner chooses their forestry company carefully to ensure the best possible crop on their land”.

Getting involved in the forestry grant scheme is very straightforward; by contacting your local representative you will have taken the first step. Ian Fitzpatrick covers Sligo, Mayo and north Leitrim. He can be contacted on 086 2593130. Ian previously worked in Kerry and west Cork for Green Belt and will continue to utilise his knowledge of west coast soils with a view to establishing the best possible forest on your land. Covering Roscommon and south Leitrim, Joe Tansey can be contacted on 086 2599190. Joe has contributed massively to the success of forestry in these counties over many years and can call on vast experience when it comes to forest establishment.

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Fonterra boss warns Deise 1250 Dairy dairy sector to reform Discussion Group THE Irish dairy industry will be left behind if it does not restructure, claims the head of New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra. Henry van der Heyden urged Irish farmers to take advantage of growing global dairy demand by creating a streamlined industry with one vision.

He insisted that funding for development of the Irish dairy industry would have to come from farmers or they would lose control of the business.

"If you believe in your coop, then give it the funds," he said. Mr Van der Heyden told farmers they would be amazed at how much cost could be taken out of the supply chain and additional revenue realised by creating an integrated dairy business with a single management team. "By staying where you are, you will be left behind," he warned.

The Fonterra boss said a complete overhaul of the Irish dairy industry was possible within a five-year period.

"But it will be a tough, hard slog," Mr van der Heyden said. Integration of the Irish Dairy Board was key to the industry's development, he claimed, believing a co-op structure would best suit the development of the Irish dairy industry.

"Unless Irish farmers have more than 50pc of the country's milk production in a coop, you will regret it," he warned. "Co-ops drive milk prices worldwide."

He added that dry shareholders and one farmer, one vote structures were incompatible with growing the business to its maximum.

Fonterra insists that its shareholders are active milk producers and contribute

both milk and equity to the co-op.

He also urged farmers to change how co-op board members were elected, saying the focus should be on maximising milk value, not on regional representation.

Mr van der Heyden was speaking to almost 200 dairy farmers gathered in Kilkenny for a conference hosted by the Dairy Discussion Groups of Ireland.

He outlined the dairy demand figures that Fonterra was using as its basis for expansion between now and 2019. Dairy demand within China was set to grow by 36bn litres of milk, while demand in India was set to rise by 45bn litres. New Zealand milk production looks set to increase by 4bn litres in the same period.

Joe Gill, director of research at Bloxham Stockbrokers, warned farmers to be wary of taking on too much debt in dairy expansion, both on-farm and at processing level. "It cannot be a debt-driven investment because that would destroy the business in a short period," he said.

"The optimal structure is to have large-scale processing facilities with modest debt focused on bulk products.

"It also means fewer, larger farmers with low levels of debt," Mr Gill said.

He said that Ireland should stick to producing bulk commodities, not value-added branded products.

Meanwhile, former IFA president Padraig Walshe said it was time to resurrect last year's Glanbia proposal to buy the Irish processing and agri-business arm from Glanbia plc. "It's time to get back in control of milk processing," Mr Walshe said.

Open Day

THE Deise 1250 dairy discussion group hosted an open day on the farm of Liam and Matthew Budds, Summerhill, Kinsalebeg, Co. Waterford today,Thursday, 8 September.The group are the national winners of the ACCBank EBI dairy discussion group competition which is sponsored by ACCBank and organised jointly by Teagasc, ICBF and the Farmers Journal.

The Deise 1250 group were formed 4 years ago, have 17 members and set a target of producing 1,250 kilograms of milk solids per hectare. With the assistance of Teagasc dairy business and technology advisers Brian Hilliard and Owen Power, the group are currently averaging 1,000 kgs milk solids per hectare.

This level of performance is achieved through a high level of grass utilisation of 10.3 tonnes dry matter per hectare, which is 30 per cent higher than the national average.The farmers in the group also focus on the fertility component of EBI to improve the fertility of their herds, and are breeding high quality surplus replacement stock.

Speaking at the open day, ACCBank representative in Waterford, Mark Bourke said; “the open day presents an opportunity to witness the excellent achievements of the Deise 1250 dairy discussion group.This year’s competition winners have shown us what can be achieved in the areas of breeding, grassland management and financial management.”

Head of knowledge transfer, dairying, in Teagasc, Tom O’ Dwyer, complimented the Deise 1250 group on their outstanding achievement. He said;” EBI really works for this group. An analysis of the performance of group members’ cows shows that those cows with higher EBI have both higher milk production and fertility.The better fertility is resulting in more cows lasting in the herd for longer. ” The ACCBank EBI competition attracted almost 3,000 dairy farmers participating in 200 dairy discussion groups. The ‘established groups’ section was hotly contested by some of the country’s leading dairy discussion groups, but the Deise 1250 group, chaired by Owen Hallahan and composed entirely of Waterford dairy farmers, emerged as national winners.The group are previous regional winners of the competition.

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