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Teagasc Advisory Staff Newsletter of the Teagasc Advisory Service
Summer 2009
Active programmes This edition of the Advisory Service staff newsletter demonstrates to the reader the depth and breadth of work being carried out by the service throughout the country. The busy programme of local and national events augments the ongoing work of advisers in each of the advisory programmes and across all of the Area Units. Given the challenges facing all sectors of farming this year, our services are more vital than ever. All of us need to maintain our commitment as we strive to make a real and positive difference for our clients who face a disheartening mix of poor prices for their output, difficult weather and a thoroughly depressed economy. We are having an impact though. Our newsletters are proving valuable and timely aids for farmers. Our events are well organised and well attended. Our discussion groups are vital social and vocational outlets for our clients. Our Monitor and BETTER Farm programmes will be instrumental in providing practical solutions for hard-pressed clients. And we are working closely with the farm organisations to help farmers in this difficult financial climate. All our staff continue to find innovative ways of delivering and improving our service: in this issue alone we read of Mayo’s improved provision of advice through local radio; while Ciaran Kerins and Kevin Connolly have
developed a very useful household budget planner which can be used with the eProfit Monitor and the Cost Control Planner, which is so important in the present climate. It may be important to continue to improve farming practice when times are good, but it is absolutely essential to the future of many of our clients that we provide the best possible service in these difficult times. The evidence so far is that we are up to the challenge – see the report in this edition on the recent customer survey which showed a huge level of satisfaction amongst our clients – let’s keep it up. Pat Boyle, Director, Advisory Service.
Moorepark Open Day 2009
Jerry O’Sullivan, Mallow, Co. Cork,(back right) and his children, John and Catherine, met David Wallis, B&T Dairy Adviser, Athy, Co. Kildare, at the Teagasc Advisory Service stand.
Siobhán McSweeney and Marian Barrett, Co. Cork, and John Casey, Forestry Development Officer, Mallow, Co. Cork, at the Forestry Development Unit stand.
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Teagasc Advisory
Teagasc Advisory embraces Irish Language Scheme
Clover Sowing and Nutrient Management event
Reception staff from Roscommon/Longford AU, Sligo/Leitrim AU, Donegal AU, and Mayo AU at bilingual reception service training in Ballymote, Co. Sligo.
Teagasc has made a commitment, in the Teagasc Irish Language Scheme, to provide reception services in Irish and English by mid 2009. Reception staff recently undertook training with Adelaide Nic Charthaigh and all our main telephone lines will be answered bilingually from now on. Teagasc Director Professor Gerry Boyle has acknowledged the openness of our reception staff in embracing this initiative; bilingualism is part of Teagasc and who we are. As part of the bilingual reception service, a client or member of the public wishing to carry out their business through Irish can be put in touch with a Teagasc officer who can respond to the customer query in Irish. Following a survey of all Teagasc staff, a small group indicated their willingness to assist with customer queries in Irish (see list at www.tnet.teagasc.ie/admin/gaeilge/irish_lang_staff.asp).
Liam Fitzgerald, Beef Specialist, above, and Michael O’Driscoll, Beef Specialist, below, at the Clover Sowing and Nutrient Management event in Mellowes College, Athenry.
Teagasc/COFORD publish latest forestry research
At the launch of ‘Silvicultural Guidelines for the Tending and Thinning of Broadleaves’, are (from left): Ian Short; Seamus Dunne, Forest Service; Prof. Gerry Boyle; Toddy Radford, Teagasc; John Moloney, Teagasc; and, John Fennessy, COFORD.
A new Teagasc publication to assist owners of broadleaf forestry plantations to increase the quality and value of hardwood timber has been published. ‘Silvicultural
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Guidelines for the Tending and Thinning of Broadleaves’ is a new set of guidelines written by Dr Ian Short, Teagasc/UCD, and Toddy Radford, Teagasc, and deals with the tending and thinning requirements of a range of Irish broadleaf species. The broadleaf management manual was officially launched by Professor Boyle at a very successful forestry event held in Co. Kilkenny. The National Forestry Demonstration on Broadleaf Management and Thinning took place in the Rower, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, and was organised by local Forestry Development Officer Frances McHugh. Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director, said: “This publication is the most up-to-date broadleaf management advice available in Ireland and is based on years of dedicated research. This very valuable manual encompasses joint research by Teagasc, UCD and COFORD, and is very timely with so many broadleaf woodlands now due their first thinning throughout the country. Such a publication will be of direct benefit to the private forest owner by adding value to his or her hardwood crop”.
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July 2009
Forestry news Demonstration on Small Scale Harvesting and Extraction
Over 200 people attended the National Forestry Demonstration on Small Scale Harvesting and Extraction at Ballyhaise College.
Over 200 people attended this very successful event in Ballyhaise College recently, which was aimed at landowners who have small woodlands that are at, or near, first thinning stage. It was organised by local Forestry Development Officer Kevin O’Connell, and provided information on the thinning and management of the forest crop. Topics included growing trees for quality timber, timing and preparation of first thinning. The benefits of a co-operative approach, and end use such as fencing posts, fuel woodchips, etc., were also highlighted. Several small-scale harvesting and extraction methods were demonstrated, which participants found particularly interesting. Participants commented that they found the demonstration very educational and that it gave them lots of ideas on how to organise their own small-scale thinning.
Wood energy for the future Bioenergy ’09, an event bringing together all the partners in the bioenergy chain, took place recently in Kilkenny. The event was jointly organised by Teagasc, COFORD and Sustainable Energy Ireland. Brian Clifford, Forestry Researcher, Speaking at the conference, speaking at the Bioenergy ‘09 Teagasc forestry researcher Brian ‘Banking on Biomass’ event. Clifford said that a cluster-based approach is the best way to identify private forest resources that are available in Ireland to supply the wood energy market. He said: “Private forestry in Ireland is reaching a point where the possibility exists for it to make a significant contribution to the wood energy market”. However, it is necessary to quantify the wood resource from private forestry. New research by Teagasc, funded by COFORD, seeks to provide a framework to address the issue of economies of scale among small forest owners. It will provide a framework to quantify the wood resource at a local level and thereby help local wood energy users to plan their woodchip supply. Teagasc forestry development officers are involved in setting up several forestry producer groups throughout the country. These farmer-led groups are targeting local markets, thus maximising the benefits from the wood energy market, leading to a better margin for the farmers. Delegates at the conference visited a local farmer in the afternoon to view his forest plantation (a willow crop), and discussed the local markets he has developed for wood energy.
Over 800 farmers attend information meetings Teagasc’s Forestry Development Unit and the Forest Service organised a series of nationwide forestry information meetings during March to provide landowners with an interest in forestry with the opportunity to find out the latest, up-to-date information regarding forestry grant schemes. Topics included: overview of current establishment schemes, grants and annual payments; update on Single Farm Payment regulations; and, lots more. Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, head of Teagasc’s Forestry Development Unit, explained: “I am delighted with the turnout we had at these events. It clearly demonstrates that
farmers are carefully considering alternative farm enterprises. Farm forestry is certainly one such enterprise, with very attractive grants covering the full cost of forest establishment, while annual payments of up to €728 per hectare, tax free, are available to REPS farmers participating in FEPS, the Forest Environment Protection Scheme”. Experts from Teagasc and the Forest Service discussed the latest updates regarding different options and schemes, and answered participants’ many questions, while a range of brochures covering a host of forestry topics were available free of charge on the night.
For further information, log on to www.teagasc.ie/forestry.
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The Teagasc Adviser
Work update Discussion Groups
Financial Advice
Busy spring for discussion groups
Farm financial update
Your group needs you! And you need your group!
Tipperary advisers facilitate 35 conventional discussion groups and six new grass groups, and all groups have met on a monthly basis since early spring. Advisers began completing Single Payment forms early to allow for full delivery of group meetings during the SPS campaign. Ten farm walks also took place during this period. Activity in the Dairygold programme has been very strong. Every group has held one meeting per month in every month to June this year. Many groups have convened many supplementary meetings, such as €PM meeting, weather crisis meetings, cash flow crisis meeting and special breeding meetings.
The reality of the significant drop in income on dairy farms in 2009 became apparent in the February, March and April milk cheques. Frightening, serious and disastrous were some of the words used by farmers when we engaged in discussion on the current situation during the Single Payment appointments. The cash inflow on dairy farms will fall substantially in 2009. One farmer’s estimate was between €25,000 and €30,000 in a 60-cow herd. The difficult weather of April-May has critically impacted on peak milk yield. As a result, extra volume to offset the milk price drop is unlikely. In fact, filling quotas in the 2009/2010 year will be difficult. On the cost of inputs, it has proved difficult to keep the meal bill down. The poor spring put dairy farmers on all types of land, but particularly on heavy soils, under extreme pressure. Fertiliser prices were very high at the beginning of the season. In more recent times, there has been a significant price drop. Dairy farmers are acutely aware that only essential expenditure should be undertaken for the remainder of the year. The phased payment of Farm Waste Management grants is also seriously impacting on cash flow. Farmers know that they must manage their finances for the next two years, taking into account the amount of the outstanding grants due over that extended period. The key question is whether there will be sufficient income in 2009 to meet repayments and personal cash flow needs. This is a central part of our work for the remainder of the year: helping farmers to analyse their loans, their repayment capacity and whether there is a possibility of restructuring some loans onto a longer schedule of repayments. For some, this year will eat into any savings they may have. For others, overall debt may increase. All spending will need detailed attention and action.
“Your group needs you! And you need your group!” This has been our motto for 2009. The camaraderie of group members is of great assistance in dealing with the financial challenges facing the dairy sector. It is a great comfort to members to meet and work through the common issues and explore the opportunities. Attendances have been very good so far, and we are actively on a recruitment drive to add members to existing groups and establish new groups.
In summary: n a timely review of the current and emerging situation is a priority; n an options analysis to achieve a viable situation should follow; n approach the lending institutions to discuss necessary arrangements to maintain viability; and, n carry out a review at year end (the Profit Monitor is one such option).
Donal Mullane, Area Manager Tipperary
Willie Dwyer, Business and Technology Dairy Adviser
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Tom Downey, Business and Technology Dairy Adviser
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July 2009
Grass Monitoring
Milk Quality
Challenging weather for a challenging job!
Teagasc/Dairygold milk quality programme delivers results
The difficult weather during the first half of 2009 – both financially and climatically – gave grass budgeting an even more significant role in dairy farming throughout the country. In Kerry, five grass budgeting groups are currently being run by Teagasc to teach a group of up to 70 farmers basic grass budgeting skills including how to make decisions to maximise grass utilisation. Weekly farm grass growth rates were monitored by these farmers and evaluated to produce a grass growth curve pertinent to Co. Kerry (see graph). This data, which is highly relevant for local farmers, gives them extra confidence to make major grassland management decisions. Farmers have become more comfortable using ‘grassland terminology’ such as grass covers, growth rate, demand, stocking rate, etc. The bottom line objective of these groups is to reduce feed and fertiliser costs by maximising grass in the diet of the dairy cow.
In May 2006 Teagasc and Dairygold initiated a joint programme to improve milk quality at farm level. The programme involved two specialist Teagasc advisers working with Dairygold milk quality advisers. Over this period the programme has delivered excellent results. The graph illustrates the significant progress to date.
Percentage of suppliers under 400,000 SCC S.C.C. <400,000 96%
94%
92%
90%
Kerry grass growth rates 90
88%
80 86%
70 60
84% 2006
2007
2008
50 S.C.C. <400,000
40 30
Typical approach to an on-farm SCC/mastitis problem
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1. Visit farm during milking. 2. Assess milking practices, e.g., over milking, taking clusters off under vacuum. 3. Score teat condition, i.e., hyperkeratosis. 4. Assess infection control, e.g., teat dipping, cross infection, etc. 5. Analyse records: individual cell counts, mastitis records and milk culture results. 6. Test milking equipment. 7. Check for stray voltage. 8. Make recommendations. What the programme has highlighted is the multi-factorial nature of a mastitis problem. The Teagasc/Dairygold programme looked at every aspect of milk quality from replacement heifers to analysing data. When the problem is monitored systematically by an outside observer and recommendations are followed, excellent results are achieved.
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2009
2008
Gráinne Hurley, Business and Technology Dairy Adviser
05 Nov
22 Oct
08 Oct
24 Sep
10 Sep
27 Aug
13 Aug
30 July
16 July
02 July
18 June
04 June
21 May
07 May
23 Apr
09 April
26 Mar
12 Mar
26 Feb
12 Feb
0
Don Crowley Business and Technology Dairy Adviser
Tom Weldon Business and Technology Dairy Adviser
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The Teagasc Adviser
Monitor Farms
Converting pasture into milk solids in Dairygold n an information dissemination programme built around the Dairygold Co-op newsletter and a Dairygold-sponsored weekly radio programme on C103; and n grass budgeting courses held in Moorepark and at local Teagasc offices to advance the development of grass measurement and budgeting skills. All Dairygold milk suppliers are invited to participate in a range of meetings and farm walks throughout the year, with each monitor farmer opening their farm up to three times per year. The events schedule for 2009 is shown in the table below. Jim O’Loughlin, Teagasc Limerick, discussing grass growth with host farmer Pat O’Brien, and Billy Kelleher, Teagasc, at the June Teagasc/Dairygold Monitor Farm Walk on Pat’s farm at Ballyculhane, Kildimo, Co. Limerick.
Teagasc and Dairygold currently operate a joint dairy farm development programme, which runs from 2007-2011. The principal aim of this joint programme is to aid technology transfer and good practice adoption on farms. Teagasc is an ideal partner for dairy co-ops, as it conducts farm and food research, and is continually developing technologies that are aimed at delivering quality food and extra income for farmers, and it has a well equipped advisory service to deliver programmes on the ground. The key elements of the current programme are: n a monitor farm programme comprising 14 monitor farms; n a discussion group programme with 70 dairy discussion groups;
Events
Timing
No. No. Average planned delivered attendance/ 2009 to-date recipients
Farm walks
March/June /Sept Jan-Dec Feb-June
40
22
48
690 14
370 14
13 18
12 30
6 15
3,700 10,000
Group meetings Grass courses Co-op newsletter – Monitor farms and discussion group updates Monthly Local radio Weekly slots
Billy Kelleher, Teagasc/Dairygold Joint Programme Co-ordinator
SPS
Business (and Technology) as usual during SPS In 2009 there was no conflict between delivery of the Business and Technology Service and submission of Single Payment Scheme applications (SPS). Group events and farm walks continued during the SPS campaign; two meetings of the Teagasc/Macra beef group were held, along with a sheep farm walk and a meeting with the local IFA branch. In addition, farm financial health checks were completed, where possible, during Area Aid time. Since 2007, it has been possible to submit Single Payment applications online. Once the service was launched, I took the view that I would submit all applications online. The
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online service is a much more efficient method of dealing with the SPS workload: the chances of making an error is much reduced, and the presentation of the application is much better and should lead to faster processing by the Department of Agriculture. Where preparatory work on the application was completed before the applicant called into the office, valuable time was saved in the application process. Christy Watson, Business and Technology Drystock Adviser, Naas.
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July 2009
REPS
REPS 4 – a profile in Tipperary The REPS Programme in the Tipperary Area Unit is driven by seven REPS planners, three environmental and technology advisers, and REPS clerical support, and co-ordinated by a REPS mentor. Currently, there are 1,650 farmer clients participating in REPS, planned by Teagasc within the Unit. There are now almost 700 clients planned into REPS 4 since its inception in late 2007. There are 11 basic measures in REPS, which are compulsory and are enhanced by a series of biodiversity options. There are also a number of supplementary measures, which are designed to take account of the problems, such as the protection of important habitat sites.
Value of REPS 4 to farmer clients Hectares
Payment
0-20 21-40 41-55 56+
€200 €175 – €7,500 for 40ha €70 €10
Recent REPS events in Tipperary 1. Biodiversity events Padraig Moran, Borrisokane – attendance 200 Diane Williams, Bansha – attendance 250 Jimmy O’Connell, Loughmore – attendance 80
2. REPS: three 20-hour courses Thurles – attendance 40 Tipperary – attendance 25 3. Solohead Research Station Clover oversowing – attendance 100 The focus is now on the following areas: n REPS 4 planning; n amending existing REPS plans where necessary for both REPS 3 and REPS 4 clients; n ensuring that soil analysis is carried out for all relevant REPS clients; n completion of REPS 1Cs as appropriate and record sheets; n holding REPS 4 courses throughout the autumn of 2009; and, n holding further biodiversity events in the autumn of 2009, which will include topics such as hedgerow management, creation of habitats and LINNET, etc.
Michael White, REPS Mentor and Good Farm Practice Adviser
Natasha Corcoran, Good Farm Practice REPS Adviser
Rural Development
New budget planner Options planning A new household budget planner has been developed by Ciaran Kerins and Kevin Connolly. This planner, which can be used with eProfit Monitor and/or the Cost Control Planner, will add a new dimension to options planning. A CD will be made available to clients.
Organic farming Over 230 farmers started in organic conversion before the mid-May deadline. This is the highest number ever in any one year and is nearly double the figure of last year. Some 130 conversion plans were processed by Teagasc.
World equine event The Equine Specialist advisory team will play a lead role in
the organisation of the World Young Horse Breeders event to be held in Kildalton in late July. Specialists have been conducting workshops and training sessions with the competitors from Ireland.
Innovation Awards There were over 100 entries to the 2009 Innovation Awards for Rural Business, which were held in March. The Awards gained much national publicity and will be expanded for 2010.
LEADER The new Local Action companies that operate LEADER funding are all now in place. Teagasc is represented on the main board of virtually all companies. Clients should be encouraged to seek funding from their local company to develop diversification ideas.
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Teagasc Advisory
Customer satisfaction survey
Cavan farm walk
Students from Ballyhaise College attend a discussion group meeting on the farm of Raymond Brady, Cloncovid, Kilcogy, Co. Cavan, facilitated by Oliver Tierney, Teagasc Ballyhaise College.
Local radio in Mayo
Overall satisfaction with service 2007-2009 Satisfaction with quality of service
2009
74%
21%
3%
2008
72%
24%
2%
2007
72%
24%
2%
0%
20%
40%
Very satisfied
Dissatisfied
Satisfied
Very dissatisfied
60%
80%
100%
Overall satisfaction (very satisfied/satisfied) with service received by respondents is 95%, which is consistent with the 2007 (96%) and 2008 (96%) levels. There are slightly more respondents claiming to be very satisfied (74%), with the level of service delivered in 2009 higher than in 2008 (72%) and 2007 (72%).
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Mayo radio presenters with Peter McGrath, Mayo Area Manager.
Teagasc in Mayo has been using local radio for many years to deliver its message to farmers. Each weekday, advisers present a radio slot – ‘Farming Scene’ – on Mid West Radio, the local radio station in the region. Six staff members are involved in presenting programmes. Until recently, programmes were recorded over the telephone. This involved the adviser making contact with the radio station and arranging a time to record. Now new technology, together with a new approach to programming, enables the recording of programmes from the adviser’s own computer. This has many advantages. Sound quality is much better and, as editing prior to broadcasting can take place, programmes are of a higher standard. Because programmes are in digital format, they can be uploaded onto the web. This has now been done and programmes can be listened to or downloaded at www.client.teagasc.ie/area/mayo. This new approach to local radio programming was successful in the recent Teagasc Open Innovation Programme, where it received one of the five overall awards.
Produced by Think Media.
Teagasc Advisory has announced the results of a customer satisfaction survey of clients carried out in February 2009 via a postal survey. The results demonstrate a high level of customer satisfaction with the advisory service. The postal survey was conducted as part of our overall efforts to strive for stronger customer satisfaction. “I am very pleased at the strong degree of satisfaction at our team’s professionalism and outstanding procedures for customers. We will continue to strive to always exceed our client’s expectations,” said Pat Boyle, Director of Advisory Area Units. The survey found that 74% of respondents were very satisfied and 21% were satisfied with the quality of service received. 95% of clients responded that service was prompt and efficient. Additionally, an overwhelming number of respondents stated that they were treated with courtesy.