West Cork FARMING www.southernstar.ie/News/Farming
LOCAL AGRICULTURE | LOCAL PEOPLE
Carbery group expands its global footprint
Autumn 2015
All set for inaugural West Cork Farming Awards presentations
Meet West Cork’s top quality milk producer Preview of the 2015 National Ploughing Championships
pLUS Advice on taxation and rural crime prevention
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West Cork Farming
Welcome to our Autumn 2015 edition of West Cork Farming A WORLDWIDE milk supply surplus has had the inevitable consequence of driving milk prices down. Dairy farmers are getting much less nowadays for their milk, with those who expanded to take advantage of the abolition of EU milk quotas last April working harder for less reward. Carbery and the West Cork co-ops are doing their best to ease the fall in prices by paying two to four cents more per litre than most others at the moment. As Carbery Group operations director John Holland told us last week: ‘We just have to support the farmers. That’s why we’re there. That’s our job.’ Price volatility on world markets is being felt more tangibly by farmers here and any measures that can be taken to ease the pressure caused by this G IN RM are to be FA West Cork arming www.southernstar.ie/News/F
LOCAL AGRICULTURE
| LOCAL PEOPLE
Autumn 2015
All set for inaugural West Cork Farming Awards presentations
s Carbery group expand its global footprint
welcomed. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Simon Coveney TD, told us that what we have is a temporary over-supply and that it will correct itself. Most people are confident, he said, that milk prices will recover next year, but what they don’t know is whether it will be by the start of the year or not until this time next year. Obviously, dairy farmers are hoping it will be sooner rather than later. Tighter margins ‘What I’d say to farmers is: Look, I know it’s difficult. Farmers aren’t making anything like the kind of money they made last year or the year before,’ said the Minister. ‘Margins are tighter this year, but it has been a good year in terms of grass growth and in terms of output. ‘Farmers should see this as a temporary, albeit serious price problem, but should be planning for the years ahead when prices will stabilise again – and they will,’ he
advised. ‘Farmers have expressed concern about price volatility, but for the last three years, we have got the upside of price volatility.’ He ssiad he got the best deal possible for Irish farmers from the €500m funding package Brussels last week. Farming awards On a brighter note, in this edition of West Cork Farming, we preview the inaugural Southern Star and Celtic Ross Hotel West Cork Farming Awards, the winners of which will be announced at a function in the Rosscarbery hotel on Sunday, October 18th. Also, we look at the expanding global footprint of the Carbery Group and visit their Synergy Flavors flagship US headquarters in Wauconda, Illinois. We have an interview with globetrotting Nuffield Scholarship winner Máire McCarthy from Innishannon about what she learned on her travels abroad. We meet Carbery Quality Milk Award winners,
Rosscarbery’s Tim and Breda Hurley. From Brussels, Rose O’Donovan assesses Phil Hogan’s first year in office as EU Farm Commissioner. There is a preview of the 2015 National Ploughing Championships and plenty of advice from financial to rural crime prevention and some of our regular features, such as the popular ‘Me & My Tractor’. Anyone who wishes to make their opinions on agricultural issues known may contact us by phone on 028-21200 or email editorial@ southernstar.ie
Yours sincerely, Con Downing, Editor, The Southern Star 16 NEwS Download our
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Preview of 2015 the National Ploughing Championships
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Scally’s sponsor category
AS the judges deliberate on continu e to the remaini categories ng in Southern Star the inaugural Hotel West and Celtic Ross Cork Farmin Awards, this week we bringg you the shortlist for the Innovantion and Vision category THE Innovat which is sponsor , ed by Scally’s award categorion and Vision SuperValu, Clonakilty. gural West y in the inauThis was the Cork Farmin most eagerlyAwards is being contested of g the Scally’s SuperVsponsored by ries with plenty four catego- Rosscarbery alu in Clonof entries for akilty. the judges to mull shortlist includes over. Their When Speaking about Timoleague they bought the categothree enterry, propriet prises at the their 17acre farm at or Eugene cutting edge Caherbe Scally said their respecti of carbery, g, it was ‘a great ve fields in 1994, the Rossfit’ and that Dan Co Waterfall he was especial In alphabetical Allshire Family had nn order, the no plans to Timoleague o l l y f r o m associated with ly pleased to be three shortlis there live is the managin full-time, never the Innovati directo r of g and Vision category novation and ted for the In- starting on Connol Being innovati Vision award to make a living mind . He runs Services, a business ly Dairy one of the are –– the Allshire from it. Over the outside the ve and thinking most progres which has Family of years, beginnin been providin box comes supermarkets sive Caherbeg Farm, with what was natug rally to Ivan equipment g cutting edge Rumley, who probably the which has in the country, Dan Connol Rosscarbery; first to dairy farmers runs Rumley’s Open won commercial ly throughout herd national awards numero us Dairy Services of Connol ly range all erty Hill, WaterfaFarm in Liboutdoor pigs of free, Timoleague, and – most for nearly 40 of West Cork importantly and Ivan Rumley in 1996, years. The father – At the very ll, near Cork. of Rumley’s starting to process that of two children its custome the acclaim of Open Farm, meat in 2000, taking 16 Ivan started young age of rs Waterfa ll. on the way, , with another introducing for constantly on another three are profiled a beef tillage All is enterprise, innovative here on this brand, Rosscarbery man, combin indeed a busy but tight margins new developments. page and the ing work comforced made category winner in 2001 and maintai Recipes, mitmen him will be announc As decide ning ts with a busy a result, two as the to sell his meat direct family life. experience their shopping to presentation ed at the gala pendingseparate brands deis Not wanting the public. ceremony to source of pride Embracing Scally’s cater never dull as held at the to be just anbe meat, on the source of the technology is other shop, Celtic Ross they have been instrumental that they were the forefron for a diverse he Hotel, range of tastes, Rosscarbery, in the Black ‘making t of the businessat petting outside added a little Pud- which in mid-October a living, making never content to rest , – details of the shop. something ding Fraternity visit to that matters which will be on their laurels By 2012 he Ross- more makes dairy farming carbery and .’ and always nounce d in ployee anfulfilled his their home, profitab They began willing to try our West Cork the subsequ and and enjoyabl le, sustainable tronics.who specialises in elec- dream of opening new suggesti out Farmin g supplem ent visit an open their free-ran wholesa ling White e. This well-man farm, which ons. Through ent with ge Pudding Fraternby the aged family gives children reputation for next week’s its The death last fied into sausage pork, diversi- the farm business has paper. ity to evolved year of the and parents an opportu now compan also. s and dry cure best-quality selling only the Nominations to employing rashers, y’s founder, local food, Scally’s Avril Allshire four Sean Con- to see first-hand where nity SuperValu in four differenwere sought novated bacon and ham, inhas been in- time staff who provide full- nolly, presented their food has volved comes by t a produci categor huge 24/7 in the Celtic cover every from and, at with the West strong links chal- same and we will lenge, but the ng original ies black Cook-Of day of the shortly and entire commu nity Cork farming ing the shortlist be reveal- inherite white pudding – no since its inception and nothingf (including Christm the year staff are determin family and day time, have a great family ways to ensure that the farm and local food out. as Day) and pleases her d recipes, but s for the two is at the top ed to continconsulta produce remaining categori ue more his ncy of made great than showthrough trial rs, which its game and to the region’s work and legacy. Ivan added ing off the and dairy produce they are ‘passion Eugene says exotic animals his recently-launche ternational award es, the Inwonderful As well as running rs. Willie Allshire error. d milking West robot is testame for achieveConnolly and play areas as well as As an agent for was the first Cork environment and ments abroad Dairy Services ‘We’re delighteate’ about. Irish person nt a kart to track. its that. Dairyma food to and , Dan visitors: The d the Hall of to get inThis is a voluntar to also runs ster, who operate addition of volved with ‘We’re not big, Fame award. the biggest win a medal in we are a plant in Causwe- a dairy enterprise of these attractions such a great y milking but Europe his own, proved an instant system where milking in two Pudding Compet an Black family able to operate as a way, Co Kerry, Dan is constant the cow de- tive as the West Cork initiaseparate sites, success and is proving cides when Farming business with ly pushing the Awards and ition. It is a - at his farm she wants to two staff,’ boundar very milked, she said. be novation sponsoring the Init comes to technolo ies when also a farm in Timoleague and popular with school resulting tours, and and Vision award with the in Kilbritta gy and he he healthier cows,in happier perfect for recently took employs someone in, where booked tours this year fully on another us,’ he declared is and giving the farmer for the fourth to do the em- milking there. year on animal more time to spend it fits perfectly his compan, as running. y’s health and welfare. own ethos. ‘For Ivan is always example, we It is the only Young Farm were one looking at one public in Ireland. open to the markets of the first superAward spon er to introduce a glutenfree bakery sor on the premise s.’ Innov
Innovation an d Vision
Our West Cork farming coverage in The Southern Star provides a useful platform for advertisers to reach a wide and responsive farming and agri readership and enquiries may be made through advertising@southernstar.ie or by phoning either Anne Kelleher or Donnchadh Crowley on 028-21200.
Meet West Cork’s top quality milk producer
App now at
Allshire Fami ly
N
Dan Connolly
shortlist
Ivan Rumley
West Cork Farm category spon ing Awards sors:
Carrigaline ma top post in Eu n gets WELLIES AT TH rope E READ
CARRI GALIN past preside E man and nt Feirme, Alan of Macra na Jagoe, has been elected presiden t of CEJA, the European Council of Young Farmers. Mr Jagoe, who term as Macra finished his president in 2013, was elected this week in Milan. During his Macra, he had time heading the opportu to represent nity Ireland’s young farmers at Nationa pean and Internat l, EuroSome example ional level. s of his work included the very successf Macra/CEJA ul Alan Jagoe is the new Young Farmers president of conference the Europe in March 2013 Dublin. in Council of Young Farmeran s He was instrum ducting studies ental in conMr Jagoe said he was honinto land mobilityand reports oured to assume and succession” and also looking forward the role. ‘I am to representwork with CAPvery significant ing European reform in Ireyoung farmland. ers over the next two years. He has been would I also like to thank vice-president of CEJA for Macra na Feirme the last two years. opportu for giving me this nity,’ he said.
TRANSFERRING
THE FAMILY FARM
ation & Visio n Award spon sor
Y Farmers in
clover
Getting read
Clockwise from Cormac O’Keeff top: Farmers attendi team membe e at Coureigh, Clonaking the Teagasc-Lisavaird r, Aoife Healy lty; Co-Op joint from Clonaki land owner Cormac (right) farm program lty, speaking about clover. leading out farmers onme walk on the farm of the walk; new Teagasc (Photos
CLINICS
2015 Planning the transfer of the family significant and sometimes farm can be a difficult task. There are many unforeseen financial, operational and emotional aspects to consider.
: Denis Boyle)
Teagasc invite all farm families to participate ‘Transferring the Family Farm’ clinics in and get the opportunity the professional solicitors, accountants, advisers, to consult with teams of in creating an effective mediators & other relevant parties to assist you succession plan for your family.
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Pre-booking essential to Clonakilty (023)88631 your local Teagasc Office 30 / Macroom Skibbereen (028)21888 (026)41604 Mr Billy Kelleher Regional Manager
FARM Aid plan caut
BRIEFS
iously welc
omed
MARTIN Keane, president of sation Society ICOS (Irish this week fromLtd) has cautiously welcom Co-operative Organiof measures the European Commis ed the announcement sion to He welcomed support European farmersof a €500m package and co-opera the lead-up the fact that many ideas tives. to put forward Dairy Commit the package were taken by ICOS in up. ture Commis tee chairman Jerry Long Mr Keane and ICOS sioner Phil Hogan also met with issues involved Agriculand his particularly . Much of the detail still team last week on the in needs to be worked out, for Skim Milk relation to the enhance d Storage Aid Powder, focussin adjustment of storage periods. g on higher aid levels Scheme if working correctl and the However, the amended scheme, from the market y, could help to remove until the expecte additional product d recovery happens , he said.
- Cork West
y for Ploughin
g
WITH just under Europe’s largest two weeks to go outdoor events, to the staging of Ratheniska one of preparations are well underwa at the site in ing Champi y for this year’s onships. For machinery addicts, National Ploughwill be showcas ing the latest all the top brands Motoring exhibits makes have increase and models on the market. ternational element is incredib d by 20% this year over the world and the ly strong with countries from into descend on represented. Up to 200,000 all the npa.ie for more. 800 acre site with over visitors are expected 1,500 stands. See www.
Price cuts hav
e to stop
IFA NATION AL Livestoc k chairman cattle price Henry Burns cuts at the factories has said that farmers have have to stop. seen prices cut He said livestock last four to by 30c/kg five weeks. Henry Burns or over €100/head in the cannot be justified said that the factories and he called on Ministerthat these price cuts said that cattle stop the price cuts. The Coveney to demand stabilised and prices in our main export IFA Livestock leader R3 steers are actually increased recentlymarket in the UK have the equivale nt of €4.98/k . He said UK prices for g, incl vat.
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West Cork Farming
What steps should you take to prevent farm-related crime? Sgt Ian O’Callaghan, West Cork Garda crime prevention officer advises
Cork West Garda Division is one of the most rural Garda Divisions in the country, stretching from Riverstick in the east to the Beara Peninsula in the west, north up to Banteer and across to Berrings on the edge of Cork City. An Garda Siochana acknowledges the tremendous input the farming community has played in their communities in West Cork over the years and continues to do so. Many farmers and/or family members play a key role in the 71 Community Alert groups that are active across West Cork promoting community safety and crime prevention initiatives. Criminals have become more mobile in the space of a generation and the type of rural crime being committed nowadays is vastly different to 30 years ago. Gardaí in West Cork attend dozens of IFA meetings each year and members are always impressed with farmers’ appetite for preventative advice on their farms and in their respective wider community in which they live and work. Property crime in this Division reduced last year and further positive news is that, year-on-year, crime is falling again this year. Nonetheless, for each victim of crime, it can have a monetary as well as psychological effect, so it is incumbent on everybody to play their part in implementing measures for their homes, farms or business to try and prevent criminal activity from occurring at their property or workplace. Criminals, by and large, are
opportunistic and, if an opportunity presents itself to steal something of monetary value, coupled with a likelihood that they will not be seen, this increases the likelihood of a theft occurring. A trend in recent times is that farmers are reporting thefts on their farms that have occurred at night time. This may well indicate that criminals, during daylight hours, have identified a farm preceding the actual incident where they believe property can be stolen with little difficulty. It is, therefore, vitally important to have property stored safely and securely at all times when not in use. Furthermore reporting to your local Garda Station any suspicious callers to your farm without delay ideally with registration details of vehicles being used if known as well as direction of travel. The most common types of property stolen from farms this year, as in previous years, include power tools, especially chainsaws; trailers, diesel, fencer boxes, fencing posts, tractor radiators, gates and fowl. We have seen a significant reduction in the theft of trailers over the past few years and this can certainly be attributed to farmers being much more aware of this type of crime occurring and being more conscious that trailers are out of sight, in a secure location and are locked at all times. Elderly farmers, particularly those living on their own can sometimes be vulnerable to what is termed bogus or rogue callers. This term is associated with people who call to vulnerable persons offering services at a certain price and once work is got ,the agreed price is quickly inflates and invariable very little and/or poor work has been performed. Such persons can also be quite intimidating when demanding extra money. Vulnerable persons also need to be aware of what is termed distraction burglaries whereby
criminals distract a person at their property, while an accomplice(s) typically enters through an unlocked rear door looking for cash. The majority of residential burglaries that occur in this Division happen in rural areas. Criminals committing this type of crime are predominantly active between 11am and 9pm. They target houses which have no alarms and when nobody is at home. The most sought-after items in a home are gold jewellery and cash. It is important to reassure readers that only a fraction of such crimes occur at night time when people are at home. Incidents of aggravated burglaries are very rare over the years in Cork West Garda Division. If you find somebody on your farm and you believe their motives for being there are suspicious, ask them to leave your property at once and contact the
Gardaí without delay. Coming into the winter period every year, An Garda Siochana always asks communities to be extra-mindful of elderly neighbours particularly those living in isolated areas and to keep a friendly check that they are doing okay, especially during times of harsh weather. Over the coming months Cork West Garda Division will be introducing a joint initiative between the IFA and An Garda Siochana which is called Theft Stop. This initiative is currently being rolled out on a phased basis across the country.
Sgt Ian O’Callaghan is Crime Prevention Officer for Cork West Garda Division and can be contacted at Bandon Garda Station, 023-8852261, 086-8282333, Ian.M.OCallaghan@garda.ie
Key points Some precautions for every farmer to consider: l Is access to your farmyard restricted ? l Is there security signage in place at entrances, e.g. CCTV, NoTrespassing, etc l Is your property stored in a secure location, particularly portable power tools and trailers? l Do you apply the same lock-up procedures both day and night? Are keys, including spares, stored securely? l Have you steel-based closedshackle pad-locks? l Have you photographed and recorded serial numbers of your property? l Is your farmhouse and outhouse or shed that stores property alarmed?
l Is it monitored? l Have you CCTV covering your
entrance, farmyard and storage area and is the hard drive stored securely? l Have you motion-sensored lighting and does it complement your CCTV? l Are your oil and diesel tanks target-hardened? l Do you and/or family members report immediately to your local Garda Station any suspicious persons and/or vehicles? l Do you attend local Community Alert meetings and have you subscribed through your local group to receive text alerts form the Gardaí?
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West Cork Farming
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and I never had a problem with them.” Connolly Dairy Services are also pleased to announce the recent addition of Colm McCarthy to their highly committed team. Colm, a native of Skibbereen brings with him a wealth of experience from the plumbing and dairy industry, he is a certified IMQCS technician. This expansion will further increase the capabilities of Connolly Dairy Services in meeting all of their client’s needs in the South Cork area. Pat Ryan, Irish Business Development Manager at Dairymaster, commented: “We are delighted to have Connolly Dairy Services as part of our Dairymaster Irish Distributors Network for the past 40 years, Dan Connolly, owner of Connolly Dairy Services says: “Together with Dairymaster and our talented, committed staff we look forward to continuing to support our customers in this ever changing and exciting industry.” For more information telephone Dan at Connolly Dairy Services on 087 - 2542808/085 – 1518104 or visit www.connollydairyservices.com.
6
West Cork Farming
Carbery Group global
Company steadily builds its ingredients business THE Carbery Group’s which manufactures diversification into the natural vanilla flavours, ingredients business bringing in vanilla plants was a brave move from Madagascar and that has seen the other places where it West Cork company’s is grown and providing footprint expand flavours for ice cream across the globe, and yoghurts. but it did not happen They established a overnight. presence in Thailand Dan MacSweeney, in 2009 with a view chief executive of the towards the south east Carbery Group, takes Asia market and built up the story: ‘We a facility there, which decided to expand Dan MacSweeney, Carbery Group. opened in 2011.‘We our business in the made our biggest move then in 2013,’ late ’90s because we were a business said Dan, when they purchased that was confined to West Cork. We two companies in the United States had milk quotas then and we couldn’t within a month of each another, one expand the business. The only way in Chicago and the other in Hamilton, was to expand or fail in the long term Ohio, which had a technology that and that’s the way we looked at it.’ manufactures natural extracts and After the four West Cork dairy cowhich fitted in with Synergy’s ongoing ops – Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and development. Lisavaird – had acquired Carbery Meanwhile, Carbery built a brand new from parent company Express 145,000-sq ft facility at Wauconda, Dairies in 1992, Dan said that it gave next door to the old one that they the management team in Carbery a had originally acquired and made it chance to ‘grow’ the business. Synergy’s main headquarters for the Along with CFO Colm Leen, operations Americas. Employing 200 people director John Holland and others, he there, they got to name the roadway continued: ‘We decided to do a strategy into it Synergy Drive and the 15-acre think and decided to have a go off site allows room for future expansion. investing in the ingredients business.’ Overall, abroad, they have three sites The first acquisition they made was in in the United States – in Illinois, Ohio the UK and they bought a company and New York State – one in Brazil, called Synergy in 1998: ‘That was a toe one in Thailand and two in the United in the water really, because it was a Kingdom. West Cork people will take new game – a new business, different great pride in the knowledge that to the dairy business,’ recalls Dan, Ballineen is the head office for this ‘and what we wanted to do was grow worldwide Synergy Flavours business shareholder value for the farmers. That and some flavours ingredients are was what it was all about.’ manufactured there, tying in also They followed this in 2001 with an with Carbery’s nutrition business, acquisition in Wauconda, Illinois – which is growing with their Kinetica about an hour’s drive north west energy drink proving popular among of Chicago. The same year Carbery sportspeople. bought a savoury flavours company The business is very much integrated in the UK and, according to Dan and, as John Holland remarked: ‘It MacSweeney, it was a period of time displays our capability, being able they spent consolidating and learning to mix flavour technology with our the business. nutritional technology and it is that At that stage, they rebranded their type of proposition that we carry to ingredients businesses as Synergy, a lot of our customers in the US and which was a big exercise, but a very the UK, so we can sell them nutritional important one for their ambitious ingredients and flavour ingredients – further expansion plans. In 2006, we call it our nutrition strategy.’ Carbery acquired yet another business in Rochester in upstate New York
Minister proud of Carbery SPEAKING as Minister for Agriculture and as a Corkman, Mr Simon Coveney said, on his visit to Synergy Flavors Inc in Illinois: ‘It makes me very proud to see an Irish group of co-operatives that came together, many years ago now, to see what they have built and what it has gown into. It really is an extraordinary story of ambition, of willingness to take risk, of getting backing from your farmer owners ‘So many people in Ireland have no idea that Carbery Group is actually an organisation that now has a footprint from Thailand to Brazil, from the UK to the US, as well as supporting family farms in West Cork. And it really is a story to be replicated by other dairy co-operatives in Ireland as well. ‘In many ways, the frustration and the straitjacket that was imposed on the Irish dairy industry through quotas back in the mid-80s forced innovative smart people like Dan MacSweeney and others to find other ways of growing and adding value to their businesses and it’s that added value that helps to insulate our family farms from the kind of price volatility that we are experiencing the downside of in terms of global commodity markets now. ‘So, the more the Irish dairy industry
Reports by Con Downing can build broader business platforms around flavours, ingredients and finding ways to add value to the high-quality dairy raw materials, the more we can move away from a reliance on basic powders and cheeses and butters and the more we move into a premium niche space, which is far less volatile from a price point of view. ‘We have been beating that drum in government for the last four to five years – certainly that is what are trying to do. People like Brendan (Gleeson) in the department have given great leadership on this and of course Bord Bia are also trying to do, working with our food companies.
Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD (second from left) pictured in Chicago last week with some of the Ornua Foods North America team, John Durcan, Roisin Hennerty, Iarlaith Smyth and David Weir, promoting Irish dairy products, including Dubliner Irish Cheese, which is made by Carbery in Ballineen.
West Cork Farming
footprint expanding Warm welcome to Wauconda
WELCOMING Minister for Agriculture. Food and the Marine, Mr Simon Coveney, TD, to the Synergy Flavors Inc facility at Wauconda, Illinois, Mr Dan MacSweeney, chief executive of parent company, the Carbery Group, Ballineen, said they were delighted that he was making the visit and that he had been a great ambassador for their industry over the last four years and had been very close to the company as well, which they very much appreciated. Rod Sowders, president and CEO of
Pictured during the visit by Minister Simon Coveney to Carbery Group’s international flavours business, Synergy, in Wauconda, Illinois, were – from left – Dan MacSweeney, chief executive, Carbery; John Holland, operations director, Carbery, Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Rod Sowders, president and CEO of Synergy US.
Minister’s lifelong link with Carbery SPEAKING during his visit to the Carbery Group-owned Synergy Flavors Inc at Wauconda, Illinois, Irish Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney revealed what he described as a ‘bizarre’ link with the West Cork company that goes right back to the day he was born. He explained: ‘My middle name is Carbery – I was actually named after this company. When I was born, my father was a quantity surveyor in the construction industry at the time and they were down planning a project for Carbery Group, so he missed my birth and there was a bit of a disagreement between my mother and father over that and as a result I became known as Carbery and I was going to be actually christened Carbery until
somebody had sympathy on me and they called me Simon Carbery. ‘On my passport is Simon Carbery Coveney, so I have this unique link with this company that I’m really proud of (1) because it is from West Cork, which is my favourite place in the world, and – secondly – because it’s led by great people who don’t make any fuss about what they do, they just get on with the job. ‘So, as someone who is named after your company, I can tell you I take a lot of personal pride in your success and I try not to show my bias too much when I’m in Ireland as I get stick from other companies when I constantly try to talk about the great story of Carbery – which is a great story – and needs to be told over and over again.’
‘But, you know, the Carbery way, if you like, which is low-key but incredibly competent and firm in terms of the direction that they want to take their own businesses, I think is also now part of the Synergy success. The team that’s being built here, starting from when Carbery actually made this acquisition, there were 27 employed; there’s now well over 200. ‘The footprint has grown, the quality of
the facilities has grown and you could bring any customer from any company to this facility and I think they would be hugely impressed and want to do business and partner with the team you have here. So, can I say to Rod and the team, this is really impressive and I’m delighted I had the opportunity to come to see this and it allows me to go and talk in Ireland and hopefully inspire other people to look at the
Synergy Flavors Inc in Wauconda, which is the company’s main headquarters for the Americas, gave the Minister and his entourage an overview of its worldwide operations before taking them on a tour of the innovation centre, where flavours are researched and created by a team of highly-qualified scientists, and then of the manufacturing facility. On entering the facility, there was a very pleasing aroma of vanilla in the air and visitors also got to sample some of the flavoured products created there.
dairy industry and to look at our food ‘The dairy industry has been doing industry and its global footprint in a that for quite some time and, again, we very different way, because often want to see our co-ops and our dairy the food debate in Ireland very much companies and processors partnering revolves around farm gate prices, it with quality partners all over the world revolves around finding new markets that can focus on ingredients and for raw material we produce in Ireland flavours and added value, on designing and it doesn’t revolve enough around and creating new products and, by the technology, the science and the doing so, partnering with some of the know-how and the post-grads and biggest food companies in the world the PhDs that are actually linked to as Irish partners. Irish multi-nationals, which is what ‘And what that does is it builds a Carbery is reputation for now. Irish companies, ‘The Carbery way, which is low-key but Irish people and ‘The incredibly competent and firm in terms of Ireland as a country majority of the the direction that they want to take their as a place that 600-plus own businesses, is also now part of the produces really workforce good-quality food. Synergy success’ in Carbery I hope that for is not those of you who actually in Ballineen in Cork and again are working for this fantastic group, that is replicated through other Irish whether here in the US, or back ay companies and actually this part of home, or in Thailand or Brazil or the the US is where the concentration a UK, that the growth story will continue. lot of that is happening. Being able to What is over 600 people now, I’m visit what you have build here in recent sure, in the next five to ten years, will years, this new facility, is another part probably be double that again. of the Carbery story that really hasn’t ‘This facility is only taking up part of been told very well. this site. There was a reason why the ‘But, from a food industry point of decision was made to buy 15 acres view, my focus and the focus of rather than four and, again, it’s about government is to encourage risklooking to the future, planning for takers, to encourage ambition. We the future, not doing anything that’s want to make Ireland synonymous reckless, but at the same time being with quality food, with technology, willing to take risk and then putting a with linking science with tradition, management team in place that can which is exactly what we are trying make sure that that risk gets delivered to do in the beef industry right now, on in a very positive way. measuring carbon footprint and ‘So, well done. You are an example analysing the DNA of our herds with to lots of other Irish food companies traditional family farms right across about what’s possible.’ Ireland.
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West Cork Farming
Carbery’s top quality milk producer
Brian Moore meets award-winning dairy and drystock farmer TIM HURLEY from Rosscarbery, who never envisaged himself working at anything else but farming after leaving school at the age of 16 ON A CLEAR day you can see the coast from the Old Head of Kinsale on to the Galley and west towards the Fastnet from Tim Hurley’s farm overlooking Rosscarbery. Tim and his wife Breda, took the top prize at the Carbery Milk Quality Award 2015 recently, where they were representing Lisavaird Co-Op. Each of the West Cork Co-Ops nominated three farmers to go forward for the Carbery Quality Milk Award. ‘It was a great honour for us to even be nominated. Anyone of the twelve would have been worthy winners. We were surprised and delighted to get the overall award,’ Tim said. Farming 77 hectares, Tim’s father first came to Caherbeg in 1956. Today, Tim operates a dairy and dry stock farm where he milks 77 cows. ‘I’m the second generation here and I left school at 16 and came to work on the farm full-time. I never really saw myself working at anything else,’ Tim continued. With the end of milk quotas, Tim has seen a 10 percent increase in his herd this year with a plan to increase by another 10 to 15 per cent over the next couple of years. With this proposed increase in milk production, Tim feels he will not need to take on extra help to achieve his targets. ‘As far as being prompted to invest because of the abolition of the milk quotas, I did build extra wintering
accommodation and now have adequate housing. I think it’s all about being as efficient as possible with what you have. ‘This is a family business really, we all work together as part of a team,’ Tim said. His team includes his wife Breda, daughter Mary (16) and sons Patrick (15) and Sean (13). ‘We get a student every spring from the Agricultural College in Clonakilty for three months; they are a great help and we give them practical experience. There are very good services available for farmers these days, there is great help and advice available from Teagasc, but it is up to every farmer to avail of all the support out there,’ Tim continued. When asked if he sees a bright future for farming in West Cork Tim is very optimistic: ‘I believe that we have a very good future here, but you have to be committed to it. We can all work on becoming more efficient and more effective, but I think farming and farmers have a bright future. ‘It’s all about job satisfaction, it’s that simple really. There is great job satisfaction to be had in farming just like there is in any job that you love and work hard at. I think the abolition
of milk quotas is a good thing for the Irish farmers. As long as we continue to produce a quality product, there will always be a demand,’ Tim said. While farming is Tim’s chosen career and way of life, his family are equally, if not more important when it comes to spending quality time: ‘I love travelling to matches to see the children taking part. The business is of course very important and you have to stay on top of things but you can’t miss out on family because of it,’ Tim said. Tim recently held an open day at his farm in conjunction with Carbery Milk Products, Lisavaird CoOp and Teagasc: ‘This was the first time we ever had such an event. Teagasc had very informative stands on the day covering topics such as soil fertility, milk quality and farm safety. ‘Over 600 people attended and it was a very enjoyable day with refreshments provided by Lisavaird Co-Op. I want to thank all my neighbours, friends and relations, Teagasc and Lisavaird Co-Op for all their help and support leading up to the open day; we couldn’t have done it without them,’ Tim said. Tim also feels that Macra na Feirme is a very positive organisation for the rural
‘I believe that we have a very good future here, but you have to be committed to it’
community. ‘I joined Macra when I left school and it was a great place to meet people and I learned a lot by taking part in competitions and participating in courses. ‘Many people who came up through the ranks of Macra later went on to become outstanding leaders in their communities and other organisations. I would recommend joining Macra to any young person. It will stand to them for life,’ Tim said With the Carbery Milk Award proudly on display, Tim is looking forward to the years ahead. While he sees a positive future for the dairying industry in Ireland, he feels more needs to be done to ensure that farmers can avail of all the services they need to keep them competitive. ‘We have good support on the ground and, as long as you keep up with the paperwork, then it’s not really a problem. What is going to hold farmers back is not having access to reliable high-speed broadband. ‘More and more paperwork can be done online now and we need to be able to access the internet not only to work with government and farming agencies, but also to research new technologies and techniques. I think that this is an area that needs work and will in the long run prove vital for farmers and the development of rural communities,’ Tim concluded.
West Cork Farming
Large turnout for farm walk at Caherbeg
A small section of the huge crowd at the recent open day on Tim and Breda Hurley’s farm overlooking Rosscarbery Bay, including personnel from the Carbery Group, Lisavaird Co-Op and Teagasc.
By John Sexton PERCHED high over the summit of Caherbeg, some 750 feet above sea level, hundreds came to see and admire the farming methods applied by Tim and Breda Hurley, which won for them the Overall Carbery Quality Milk Producer Award this year. For this award, three suppliers from
each of the four West Cork co-ops are selected for scrutiny by an adjudicating panel drawn from Carbery and Teagasc and a winner is chosen for each co-op, one of which is declared the overall winner. While Tim and Breda lavished much praise on the advice of their local Teagasc advisor Seamus O’Dowd, it was clear to be seen that their own family input was well above
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the ordinary and this was clearly exemplified by their presentations at the various stands. In fact Breda, a member of a prominent McCarthy family from Drimoleague, excelled when answering questions and spelling out their road map during recent years. While speaking at the stand on the summit, she was able to mix humour with logic, as she
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explained to her audience the beauty of the countryside, which comprises the greater part of County Cork. In congratulating the Hurley family, Lisavaird Co-Op stated: ‘The award was won, not just for the quality of the milk produced, which is superb, but also for excellence in the many aspects of their dairy farming for which West Cork is renowned – grassland management, cow welfare and fertility, washing and cow treatment procedures, cleanliness and standard of milking facilities, dairy and cow management and much more.’ The main enterprise on the farm is a Spring calving dairy herd with 72 cows milked in 2014. This number truly represents the operation of a family farm at its best capably managed by husband and wife, with limited support from family members, and furthermore, the farmyard layout is a model for all concerned to observe and take a pattern of. In a general comment, Billy Kelleher manager of Teagasc Cork West Cork, said: ‘This event highlights the importance of family farming to the Irish dairy sector. The family dairy farm, when well-managed, can deliver a good living for the family and contributes to the local economy.’
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West Cork Farming
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West Cork Farming
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West Cork Farming
Presentations set for Sunday, October 11th HUGE thanks to all who nominated people for the four categories in the inaugural Southern Star and Celtic Ross Hotel West Cork Farming Awards. Special thanks also to our judges, Billy Kelleher, regional manager of Teagasc Cork West; JJ Walsh, sales and marketing manager of the Carbery Group; John Buckley, 2013 Macra Young Farmer of the Year, and Con Downing, editor of The Southern Star. We have reached the stage where the shortlists have been revealed (see below) and the winners of each category will be announced at a presentation ceremony to be held in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, over Sunday lunch on October 11th, 2015. This will be a celebration of all that is good about agriculture in the locality, with the menu including the best of fresh local produce, and it will be followed by music and some fun family activities. More details anon.
YOUNG FARMER AWARD
INNOVATION & VISION AWARD
Shortlist:
Shortlist:
Colin Griffin, Ballincourcey, Timoleague
Allshire Family, Caherbeg, Rosscarbery
Aidan McCarthy, Airhill, Schull Adam Shorten, Murragh, Enniskeane
Dan Connolly, Dairy Services. Timoleague Ivan Rumley, Rumley’s Open Farm, Waterfall
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West Cork Farming
AIB Bank to sponsor Hall of Fame award WE are delighted to welcome Allied Irish Banks (AIB) on board as sponsors of the Hall of Fame award category for the first year of the West Cork Farming Awards The award will recognise a lifetime of service to the local farming community and the three people shortlisted for the award are all worthy contenders, making it a difficult choice for our distinguished panel of adjudicators. With is extensive network of branches throughout West Cork, AIB’s friendly and helpful staff are only too willing to provide useful advice to all its customers, be they personal, farming or business clients. The bank is well positioned to support economic recovery in Ireland, reaching out to the various sectors and is prepared to listen to enterprising proposals. Earlier this year, AIB announced a €500m Agri Loan fund and the doubling of its agri advisor team to support the farming sector.
HALL OF FAME AWARD
INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Shortlist:
Shortlist:
William Hurley, Laravoulta, Enniskeane
Dan MacSweeney, CEO, Carbery Group
Leo Meade, Ballinascarthy Peggy O’Brien, Farmlea, Lislevane
Florence McCarthy, Dromusta, Drimoleague Máire McCarthy, Ballyhandle, Innishannon Would your company like to sponsor this category at the inaugural West Cork Farming Awards in October?
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The following category is still available...
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Similar issues facing farmers worldwide
West Cork Farming
Martin Walsh meets Nuffield scholarship winner MÁIRE McCARTHY to discuss the highlights of her recent world travels and what she learned from the experience THAT often-used expression ‘travel broadens the mind’ rings true in most cases and, for Máire McCarthy from Ballyhandle, Innishannon, it was an endorsement that that issues facing farmers are, for the most part, similar all over the globe. Máire, as readers of The Southern Star will already know spent several weeks travelling around the world with a group of students to view a variety of farms. So, where did it begin – Máire recounts the trip: ‘Basically, we got a “sponsor” to fund the fourteen weeks. The global focus trip is a six to seven-week intensive travel period where all the students look at a variety of different farms in various countries.’ During her tenure as a regional development officer for the Irish Grassland Association, Máire met a number of previous Nuffield scholars and, having spoken with and been encouraged by them, she put her name forward for the scholarship. With the initial paperwork completed through a standard application form, she was shortlisted for the interview process. ‘Yeah, this was a difficult interview with three sponsors and the secretary of Nuffield Ireland,’ she said. All went well and she was shortlisted and
Nuffield scholars and their host (centre) standing in front of maize corn on a visit to a beef farm in Delaware, USA, on the final leg of their journey this summer.
subsequently attended the Irish Farm Centre for an interview with a panel of interviewers selected from various sectors of the agriculture industry including Irish Farmers Journal, ICOS and the FBD Trust to mention but a few. She plays down her selection, but obviously she made an impression and was amongst the seven Irish and 71
internationally chosen to make the trip. Employers Hugely appreciative of her employers, SouthWestern, which is part of the Capita group, Máire added: ‘SouthWestern recognised the benefits of the Nuffield scholarship and the volume of knowledge and contacts I would develop from this experience. I
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was given time off work to complete my travels.’ In addition, she was provided with a sponsored iPad that transpired to be of great assistance for recording details of her travels. Paying special tribute to Paddy Morrissey and Jim Costello, directors of SouthWestern, she added: ‘They continue to provide huge support and encourage me in my position in SouthWestern as head of auditing. I have made valuable contacts all over the world and the contacts have assisted me in adding value to the service we provide in South Western.’ And, not forgetting her work colleagues during her absence, Máire added: ‘They continued to provide great service.’ Personality Not unlike a screening process for a reality television show, Máire and her fellow travellers were put through a personality test in Canberra, Australia. She explains: ‘It was to establish the different personalities of the group and, through that knowledge, to prevent possible of potential conflict within the group.’ After that is was take-off for the group of six with an even mix of the sexes as they headed from Australia to Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Turkey, the Netherlands, Israel and the United States of America. Not surprisingly and, with such a varied itinerary, it was hard to select the highlights: ‘There were highlights each and every day. But, if I was forced to choose, I would say the Israeli cows and milking systems were very impressive.
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West Cork Farming ‘The scale of agriculture in USA was producers and co-ops on an ongoing also mind-blowing. All the farms I basis.’ visited, from cherry trees in Golan Even when she gets home, there is no Heights to pig farms in Netherlands, it time or possibly even no desire to put was all fascinating and amazing. The the feet up: ‘I assist my husband Brian people I travelled with and the people in running the dairy and beef operation we met were all highlights too.’ from our home in Ballyhandle, She learned from her travels too: ‘Farm Innishannon. I have responsibility for labour and getting a skilled, suitable the registration and movement forms workforce is a challenge everywhere. for all stock as well as maintaining the Climate change is another major medicines register for the farm. issue facing farmers along with the ‘There is a lot of paperwork to be challenge of managing the politics of maintained and the cost of not having farming, sustainability, water safety this right can be serious with crossand shortage, regulation and other compliance requirements, etc. I also such things. assist with milking, feeding calves and ‘I learned that other farmers have general labour on farm from time to found ways of managing the time.’ challenges, for instance, robotic milking Also there to lend a helping hand are systems in Netherlands, rota of staff daughters Clara (19), who is studying and milking three times a day in Israel, nursing, and Sarah, who has just irrigation systems in Israel, seasonal completed her Junior Certificate, along workers in USA.’ with son Brian (Jnr), who has started Her observations can have practical secondary school this year. implications for Irish farmers: ‘I would hope to share the information that I Country girl have gathered through the articles in You can take the girl from the country, The Southern Star but you can’t take as well as preparing country from the ‘I would hope to share the the a 4,000-word girl – that could be an report for Nuffield information that I have gathered apt but all-too-short through the articles in The description of Máire International Southern Star’ that needs to be McCarthy. The eldest completed by of seven children, October. she was reared on the family dairy ‘I will also be presenting a report on my farm in Kilbrittain. Her father, Frank global Focus Programme at this year’s Ahern was a full-time farmer and her national Nuffield conference on Friday, mum, Teresa, was principal of the local October 16th, in Castleknock Hotel, National School. Dublin. This is a wonderful event and a Nowadays, her brother Patrick great opportunity for people interested continues in the family farm in in completing a Nuffield scholarship to Kilbrittain: ‘I have always had a keen attend.’ interest in farming. I milked cows with my dad from when I was seven or eight Dynamism years old. Maire is a member of the board in ‘I worked in Allied Irish Bank for Bandon Co-Op and is impressed with twenty years, from 1988 to 2008, its success and dynamism. ‘We have and during this time I qualified as a monthly board meetings as well as financial adviser and have various regular meetings in relation to ongoing banking certificates on investment and issues facing the co-op. mortgage advice.’ ‘I work full time in SouthWestern, It was during that period that Máire where I head up the auditing services. worked closely with farmers We have 70 auditors based all over the assisting them with loan applications country. This involves interaction with and finance for equipment and other
Nuffield scholars enjoying some Japanese hospitality during their travels across the world.
farming requirements. In reality, it was an extension of her inherent interest in agriculture. Even after she left AIB, the agriculture theme continued to run through her veins as she took up employment with Commercial Financial Services – the financial services arm of Crowley McCarthy Accountants. It was home from home: ‘Here again, I worked with farmers, assisting with farm loan applications, mortgages, negotiating restructuring and other investment and financial advice.’ Not content to rest on her laurels and, with a strong educational background, she completed a Diploma in Food
Business and Corporate Governance in UCC in 2014. In essence, that was the conduit that brought her to applying for and successfully attaining a position with South Western.Add in all aspects of farming, attending shows, ploughing matches and one gets the idea of a busy but really enjoyable lifestyle. ‘Nuffield has been a huge experience for me. I have gained many friends worldwide and hope to continue to grow and maintain these friendships sharing knowledge and learning on an ongoing basis.’ At home or in school, it seems Maire learns well.
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Fixer’ Big Phil’s first year in office Kilkenny man PHIL HOGAN was appointed the new EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in September 2014 – a year after the major overhaul of Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) successfully completed under the Irish presidency. Brussels-based journalist Rose O’Donovan takes a look at how ‘Big Phil’ has taken over the reins, how he is dealing DURING his time in Dáil Éireann, Phil Hogan had a reputation of being a ‘fixer’. Reactions were mixed when he took over the Farm Commissioner post, with commentators pondering why Dublin wanted the farm brief now – twelve months after the reform has been signed off. There was a feeling that the heavylifting had been done by his predecessor – the Romanian Dacian Cioloș and all Hogan would have to do is concentrate on CAP implementation. But Dublin had a longerterm motivation, knowing that Hogan possessed the political gravitas to protect agricultural interests – particularly the Irish beef sector – in upcoming trade deals with the US & Latin America (Brazil and Argentina) under the so-called Mercosur pact. The first few months of his mandate were plain sailing, with Hogan entering listening mode and getting to know the main demands of farmers, stakeholders, Ministers and MEPs. But the tides turned in May when it became clear that farmers – dairy producers in particular – were struggling as a result of the slump in milk prices and the ongoing Russian embargo on food imports. At first, Hogan tried to play down the severity of the situation, keeping expectations low and holding his cards close to his chest. But during the last few weeks of August, he met nearly twenty delegations from around the EU, gauging their main demands and seeing what was feasible under the budgetary constraints. A few days before the Agricultural Council convened on September 7th – as well as the mass rally of over 6,000 farmers – Hogan was admitted to hospital with a viral stomach infection, which meant that he would miss the crucial meeting and also Kilkenny’s victory over Galway in the All-Ireland Hurling final. Standing in for his colleague, Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen unveiled a €500 million package of measures – with struggling dairy farmers to secure the lion’s share. Indicative figures suggest that Irish farmers will receive around €20 million in a lump-sum from the fund. For Hogan to secure such an amount of cash is of particular importance, given other
competing budgetary demands and the unprecedented refugee crisis. ‘Bully boy’ image Back in Ireland, he was a man who courted controversy, but since his arrival in Brussels, Hogan has managed to shake off the ‘bully boy’ image, has proven popular with his Commission peers, Farm Ministers and MEPs and has focused on getting on with the job at hand. His imposing character is sharp and charming and surprisingly softly-spoken. President of ICOS, the co-operative umbrella body, Martin Keane said he was ‘delighted’ when he learned of Hogan’s appointment to the coveted agriculture portfolio, recalling the ‘Kilkenny man’s strong connection to the land’. Keane said ‘we need an EU that can help the Irish agriculture sector grow its strength and competitiveness on a global basis. Farmer-owned co-operatives are central to this success story and we are working with Commissioner Hogan to realise our potential.’ Meanwhile, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is understood to have pushed the government to secure the agricultural portfolio in a bid to have a ‘green jersey’ fighting for Irish farmers. Commenting after the protests in Brussels last week, IFA president Eddie Downey said the Commission would have to revisit the dairy intervention price level. ‘Big Phil’ is also popular with MEPs. Testing times But these are testing times for the former Carlow-Kilkenny TD. Moscow’s embargo on EU food products such as dairy, beef and pigmeat looks set to last until August 2016 and its effects have trickled down to countries that were not previously major exporters to the Russian market. The abolition of dairy quotas at the end of March has led to a surplus of milk on the internal market, pushing down prices across the EU. As Europe tightens its purse strings over the coming months – Hogan will not be able to ‘magic’ another €0.5 billion from an already-tight budget. The true test will come in the springtime when the dust has settled and markets readjusted.
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West Cork Farming
Pictured in Rossmore at the final meeting for the Cork West ploughing team to make arrangements for the National Ploughing Championships are officers from the county and Kilmeen club, which hosted this year’s county final – seated, from left – Denis Keohane, National Ploughing Association delegate; John Wolfe, trailer vintage class; Gordon Jennings, single furrow vintage; Michael Wycherley, intermediate reversible; Michael Ryan, Maxol Oil, team sponsor, Siobhan Hennessy, ‘Farmerette’ class; Kevin O’Riordan, standard three-furrow, and John Matt O’Donovan Kilmeen vlub. Middle row: John Keohane, Richard White, Jim Grace, intermediate; John O’Donovan, senior horse; Gerard Mc Carthy, under 40 horse; Sean Ryan, hydraulic vintage; Kevin O’Driscoll, intermediate; John Hurley and Kieran Keohane, officers. Back: Willie Young, Con McCarthy, Tim Lawlor, horse; Barry O’Sullivan, senior; Liam O’Driscoll, senior reversible; Dan Hurley, standard three-furrow, and Michael Walsh.(Photo: Donie Hurley)
All roads lead to Stradbally John Sexton WHEN it’s the fourth week of September (the week after the AllIreland football final), all roads lead to Ratheniska, near Stradbally, in the beautiful county of Laois, for the AllIreland Ploughing Championships, and all that goes with them. Many years ago, the comment amongst rural people was ‘I will see you at the Spring Show,’ but now it’s ‘I will see you at the Ploughing Championships.’ Regarded as one of the greatest outdoor shows in Europe, and catering for everything one could think of, it’s little wonder that it has such an appeal to the urban community also. While attending the event a few years ago, the British Under-Secretary for Agriculture remarked to us that it completely outshone the Royal Show in England. It’s only fitting therefore that we pay tribute to the driving force, Mrs Anna May McHugh, under whose guidance this great national event has developed to the lofty heights it now enjoys. From small beginnings in 1931, when 27 horse ploughmen, representing nine counties competed on the Plains of Kildare for ultimate honours, and sowed the seeds of
this great national event, which now embraces over 300 competitors and attracts an attendance of over 200,000. It was set up as a result an argument by two great Republicans, J J Bergin of Athy and Denis Allen of Gorey, as to whether Kildare or Wexford produced the best ploughmen. While Wexford might have shown the way for many years, other counties have been showing the limelight, especially Cork West, many of whose competitors are regularly getting into the frame. This year again, Cork West hs a pretty formidable team and, on previous performances, we would expect to see Barry O’Sullivan, Liam O’Driscoll and the Coakley brothers bidding for the top spots in their respective classes. Also some of the newcomers (especially in the under-age classes), who have performed so well at the county fixtures earlier in the year could spring a surprise. Some of the Cork East team based in close proximity to West Cork include Paddy Harrington and Jamie O’Sullivan (Ballyfeard), Con Twomey (Minane Bridge), The Delaney – JJ, Jeremiah and Jerh (Ballinagree) – and Cian Keohane (Ballinhassig), whose mother hails from Cahermore.
Remembering ploughmen who have passed LET’S not forget a few ploughmen of long-standing who have passed to their Eternal Reward during the past year: Joe Deasy (Timoleague and Bishopstown) was a member of the Cork Horse team at the All-Ireland in Bandon in 1950; John Walsh (Gaggin, Bandon) won three senior county titles during the 1950s and won a threefurrow All-Ireland in Athenry in 1963 and was a prominent Club & County Officer for many years.
Jimmy McCarthy (Ballyrichard and Lisavaird) started ploughing as a teenager in 1950 and gave a lifetime to competition at local and national leval and was a much sought-after judge all over the country, while Charlie Dinneen, who was president of the Timoleague Ploughing Association took a keen interest in the show and rarely missed an All-Ireland. May the sod which they relished so admirably rest lightly upon them.
West Cork dairy products for showcase at National Ploughing Championships A SELECTION of some of West Cork’s best dairy produce will be on display and available to taste at the 2015 National Ploughing Championships, which take place in Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co Laois, from September 22nd to 24th. Make your way along to the National Dairy Council dome, where you will find Bandon Vale, Carbery and Clóna Dairy Products staff, who will be on hand to meet and greet visitors and promote their produce. Carbery will be sampling some of their International Cheese Awardwinning Dubliner Cheese, including the uniquely-distinctive Dubliner Vintage, as well as the rounded, reduced-fat Dubliner Lighter variants. The delicious flavour of Dubliner Cheese really showcases the quality of West Cork’s milk supply.
Clóna Dairy Products will be sampling their award-winning sour cream – winner of the Blas na hEireann silver award in 2014 and which also received a star at last year’s Great Taste Awards. A versatile, easy-to-use product made from fresh West Cork cream, it is a perfect accompaniment to baked potatoes, wraps, Mexican dishes as well as being great in baking due to its rich and creamy taste! Bandon Vale Cheese Gold and Bronze winner at last year’s Blas na hEireann event will be sampling Mature Red Cheddar and Mild White Cheddar. Both products will be testimony to the high quality ingredients and manufacturing processes in West Cork and the best of what the region has to offer. The West Cork Dairy Producers stand in the NDC Dome can be found at Block 2, Row 24, Stand 410.
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West Cork Farming
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West Cork Farming
Significant changes to Agricultural Relief the beneficiary is now also required to qualify as an active farmer.
Siobhan Healy I EXPECT many of you are familiar with the Capital Acquisitions Tax relief, known as Agricultural Relief, which can reduce the value of agricultural property (including farmland and farmhouses) by 90% when calculating the gift or inheritance payable by the beneficiary. There were significant changes to the legislation governing agricultural relief in the last Finance Act. These changes were intended to put farmland into the hands of active farmers. In addition to the ‘Farmer Test,’ whereby 80% of the beneficiary’s assets must be agricultural property after taking the gift or inheritance,
As a result, he/she must: a) Hold an agricultural qualification (FETAC Level 6) and farm the land on a commercial basis or b) Farm the land for at least 50% of their normal working week on a commercial basis or c) Lease the whole or substantially the whole of the land for six years to a person who satisfies (a) or (b) above. These changes have given rise to many complexities. In this article I wish to focus on the impact of the application of the above rules to a gift or inheritance of the farmhouse where the beneficiary does not wish to or is unable to farm the land. Where the beneficiary does not farm the land then Agricultural Relief may still be available provided that they lease the land for six years to a farmer satisfying conditions (a) or (b) above. In the majority of cases it is possible
to find a suitable tenant interested in leasing the land. Typically, however, neither the tenant (farmer) nor the landlord (beneficiary of the gift or inheritance) have a desire to lease the farmhouse for six years and it is often the case that the beneficiary is unable to lease the house due to rights of residence in favour of another person. What is the situation where a beneficiary leases the land for six years to a qualifying farmer, but retains the use of the house? According to recently published Revenue Guidelines, where the value of the property received and leased is less than 75% of the total value of the agricultural property received (including the farmhouse) then condition (c) above is deemed not to be satisfied. This can have the very serious implication that none of the property qualifies for Agricultural Relief. It is far too easy for a dwelling house to exceed 25% of the total value of even a substantial farm holding. For example,
a house with a value of €300,000 requires farmland to the value of at least €900,000 to satisfy condition (c) where the land is leased and the house is not leased. Agricultural Relief has increasingly become a complicated and problematic area of taxation. It is not possible to fully address the various issues that may arise in this or in any article. As a result, it is important that expert tax advice be sought from a chartered tax adviser on any proposed transfer of agricultural property (particularly where the holding includes a valuable farmhouse) or on the drafting of a Will in relation to any such property. •Siobhan Healy is a chartered tax advisor working with the FDC Tax Department.
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West Cork Farming
VICKI MURNANE, from Letterlickey, who is regional PRO of Carbery Macra na Feirme, tells The Southern Star about her life, her likes and dislikes and reveals what makes her tick … Where were you born? Cork Family: Dad Martin, mother Catherine and brother David. Schools attended: Mercy Convent and Ard Scoil Phobal, both Bantry; IT, Tralee, and now UCC. Occupation: General Nurse. Best friend: That would be an ecumenical matter!! Earliest childhood memory: My dad taking me to see my granduncle’s mare who was in foal. I was promised that same foal if I behaved myself. I’m still waiting. Apart from your family, who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party? Dara Ó Bríain from ‘Mock the Week.’
Dinner party at home or a night in the pub? Oh, dinner party; there’s no closing time there. What’s your signature dish, if you’re cooking? Not so much cooking, but baking it would have to be Sacchertorte. It’s a rich chocolate cake that just melts in your mouth. Hangover cure: Callipo and a bottle of Lucozade. Favourite book: Water for Elephants. Favourite film: Sweet Home Alabama. Favourite TV programme: Hmm, I’m going to say The Good Wife. Favourite heart-throb or pin-up: It would have to be Seth MacFarlene. He has a lovely smile!
Public figure you admire the most: Niall Breslin, a.k.a Bressie.
Morning person or night owl? Night owl.
Public figure that irritates you the most: I’ve been mulling this one over and I’m sorry to say it’s Joan Burton. I just don’t know why.
Christmas morning or Midsummer’s Day? Christmas morning, hands down.
Where’s your favourite place in the world? Home! Favourite place in West Cork? Inchydoney.
How would you like to be remembered? Well hopefully not for being late for everything. West Cork is so special because … It’s where I’m from. It’s where my family and all I love are.
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West Cork Farming
Drinagh grass re-seeding demo success DRINAGH Co-Op’s Grass Reseeding Demonstration and Family Fun Day took place on Wednesday 9th last at the Ilen Rovers GAA Pitch at Church Cross, west of Skibbereen, and on David Finn’s land. It was a hugely successful day, with close on 600 people attending. There were demonstrations of different methods of reseeding ground including ploughing, disc harrowing, power harrowing and direct seeding. The demonstration was laid out on four plots with a machine in each plot. The spectators could view a trial run of each machine with a
discussion on the merits of each method. Speakers included Dr Michael O’Donovan (senior research officer, Grasslands, Moorepark), Don Crowley (Teagasc, Clonakilty), Dave Barry (Goldcrop), Dr Mary McEvoy (Germinal Seeds) and Dr Stan Lawlor (Grasslands Agro). Throughout the demonstration, topics such as soil fertility, grass seed choice and post-emergence spraying were at the forefront. Tim Regan (Drinagh agricultural advisor) advised that reseeding is one of the best investments available to farmers and
encouraged them to use the best grass seed varieties available. Tim stated that Drinagh only use the leading grass seed varieties when formulating their mixes. There were numerous trade stands, including fertiliser, feed, grass seed, veterinary, sprays and farm machinery. Experts were readily available to advise people and discuss issues on a one-to-one basis. There was fun for all the family as Drinagh had two bouncy castles as well as face painting for the children – dog lovers could even get their photo taken with the famous Dulux
Pictured at the Drinagh grass reseeding demonstration at Church Cross, Skibbereen, were – from left – Dr Michael O’Donovan, Teagasc Moorepark, Seamus Daly and Tim Regan, Drinagh Co-Op, and Don Crowley, Teagasc.
Dr Michael O’Donovan, Teagasc, Moorepark; Martin O’Mahony, Drinagh Co-Op, and Dave Barry, Goldcrop Ltd, at the Drinagh grass reseeding demonstration.
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Stephen O’Driscoll, Emer Dennis-McAleavan and Ciaran Barry, all Lisheen, with Denis Cullinane, Kealkil, enjoying the family fun during the Drinagh grass reseeding demonstration. (Photos: Anne Minihane)
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