Farming News

PAYMENTS TO-DATE EXCEED €259 MILLION UNDER TAMS II

Payments to-date under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) II scheme have now exceeded €259 million and continue to be issued at an average rate of €1.4 million per week, according to DAFM. It is hoped that the Department work on their efficiencies. Many applicants in the past have believed that their application was processed and ready to be paid, only to receive a letter asking for additional details. This can often be followed by and another letter asking for even more details. This causes annoyance, aggravation and unnecessary additional work. Could it be possible that all required documents be requested at once, rather than in “dribs’n’drabs”.

There are still approximately 7,700 approved applications with farmers who have yet to submit payment claims. The level of interest in TAMS II is continuing, the department noted. A total of 3,224 new applications were received under tranche 19 of the TAMS scheme which closed on Friday (November 13). However, the lowest ranking 30% (1,086) of applications under the previous tranche were rolled over for consideration under this new tranche. This means there are now a total of 4,310 applications for consideration under this tranche with a value of over €41.4 million, according to the department. Tranche 20 of the scheme is due to close on January 15, 2021. Applications under this tranche and the lowest ranking 30% from tranche 19 will be considered. The Department noted that notifications have commenced issuing to applicants under tranche 19 as to whether their application has been approved or rolled over to the next tranche for consideration then it will again be open to applicants to withdraw their rolled-over application and reapply with a new application if they wish.

BIRD CULL ZONE IN NI FOLLOWING AVIAN INFLUENZA IN COMMERCIAL FLOCK

Northern Ireland has initiated disease control measures, including a bird cull zone, following suspicion of notifiable avian influenza at a commercial holding in Co. Antrim, (not a million miles from here, and closer to the poultry capital of Ireland – Co Monaghan). The decision was based on clinical signs and the initial results provided by the AgriFood and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), as well as the recent detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 in a number of wild birds across Northern Ireland. In an effort to stop the spread of the virus and protect the poultry industry, temporary control zones have been introduced around the affected premises and birds on the site will be humanely culled. Given the level of suspicion and the density of the poultry population around the holding, it is vital that as a matter of precaution, we act now and act fast.

To date, there have been eight positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N8 confirmed in wild birds in Northern Ireland across five different locations. There have also been recent detections in wild birds, poultry and captive birds across Britain, in addition to detections in the Republic of Ireland. An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been in place across NI from December 1 to further enhance biosecurity measures and a mandatory housing order has been in place since December 23. In the North, as in The South, Avian Flu Influenza is a notifiable disease. As a result, anyone who suspects an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must, report it by law, SHEEP AND GOAT CENSUS 2020

Farmers are reminded that last Thursday, 31st December (New Year’s Eve) was Census Day for sheep and goats’ populations around the country. Failure to submit this, on time will result in those farmers being excluded from ANC Payments where these livestock numbers are vital for participation – (i.e. sheep-only farmers). Annual sheep and goat census forms were issued to over 47,000 sheep and goat keepers registered with the department. Completion and return of the census is a legal obligation. The closing date for receipt of completed 2020 census forms by post is February 1, 2021. However, respondents submitting a census return online may avail of an extended closing date to 11:59pm on February 15, 2021. Failure to return a completed form on time could impact on eligibility for

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some DAFM schemes. It is not permitted to submit forms by post through any office of the department. The onus remains with the flock/herd keeper to make sure that completed census forms are received on time. The department said that in the case of dispute regarding postal returns, the only acceptable proof of postage is a registered post receipt. A postal certificate or express post receipt is not acceptable as proof of postage.

HIGH UPTAKES OF GLAS, ORGANICS AND BDGP

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., announced today that the vast majority of farmers in the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) have applied to extend their contracts for 2021. The deadline for applications was 31st December. The Minister also noted a high uptake to date in the replies to date on the extension of contracts under the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) which closes on 15th January next. The uptake as of this morning (Tuesday 5th January 2021) is that: • 98% of GLAS I and II participants responded by the deadline and of these, 98% applied to continue in the scheme for an additional year (2021) • 97% of OFS participants responded by the deadline and of these, 97% applied to continue in the scheme for an additional year (2021) • 52% of BDGP participants have responded to date and of these 97% have applied to continue in the scheme for 2021 (Note: the deadline for application for extension of BDGP contracts is 15th January 2021).

WEST KERRY DAIRY FARMER’S SEC

Local initiatives are good, and here’s a very good one. This is a local action group operating primarily from Lispole,; but catering for all farmers on the peninsula, to carry out Audit(s) on farms in the area on energy efficiency. As the dairy industry sector is the principal energy user in the farming sector, it is not their exclusive right, and intensive suckler/beef farmers may be interested in the idea also. The idea is that through funding and guidance from The SEAI, farmers will be able t have a professional audit on all energy usage on their farm, and to identify ways and means, (practices and technologies) that can reduce any unnecessary energy usage. Reduced energy usage means reduced costs which in turn means reduced carbon foot-print. All of this makes sense. Its what is called a “No-Brainer”. Everybody wins! The application has been submitted to the SEAI, and the Local Coordinator Mr Dinny Galvin has been in contact with as many farmers as he can. He pointed out that this is not an exclusive club, and that anyone who warrants involvement will be considered. The Eligibility Process has yet to be finalised, but I’m sure that as long as you have an Irish Passport, or Legal Work Permit, and a Herd Number, you will be considered. Once all who are interested have been identified, a Zoom meeting or series of them, will be organised to explain and expand on the project. These are difficult times, so people are asked to be understanding and accommodating, as the organisers are working as best as they can, despite the current restrictions. It is intended to organise this Zoom Meeting/ Conference in Mid-January, so don’t delay in making contact. A letter is being issued by the group to all who are interested, and anyone who is considering getting involved can contact westkerrydairysec@ gmail.com with their expressions of interest.

COST EFFECTIVENESS OF USING LOW EMISSIONS SLURRY SPREADING (LESS)

New Nitrates Regulations are being implemented, as we speak, and being tweaked on an on-going basis. There will soon be a need for everyone to sit-up and take notice. One of the most significant new regulations will be the abolition of splash-plate slurry spreading and the requirement for trailing-shoe or dribble bar technologies to be applied. However, moving from using splash-plate to LESS techniques has been identified as one of the most practical and cost-effective options to increase N use efficiency and reduce ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from farms. The extra cost per hour is small when the extra N value from the slurry when using trailing shoe is taken into account. Depending on the amount of loads spread per hour, the extra N covers between 42% and 83% of the extra €20/hr cost in using a trailing shoe

compared to a splash-plate. For a 100 LU farm spreading 150,000 gallons slurry per year the additional contractor cost minus the value of the extra slurry N ranges from €0.45 to €3.45 per LU per year depending on the amount of loads spread per hour. Making better use of nitrogen in slurry with LESS methods offsets up to 83% of the extra contractor costs per hour for the LESS equipment. Coupled with the ability to spread slurry on grass covers of up to 700 Kg DM/Ha means you should seriously consider LESS methods for spreading slurry in Spring 2021.

FARM FATALITIES REMAIN UNACCEPTABLY HIGH IN 2020

This is the time of year to reflect on your activities last year, and see how your behaviours can be improved upon, for the coming year. This is not a criticism, or a warning, but a plea. There have been too many injuries and deaths on farms and land over the past year. The fact that Covid-19, (recently referred to as (Cyrus the Virus) is still with us, and that schools and collages as well as workplaces are closing down again, the possibility of accident is even greater, so Greater Care Must Be Taken. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with Special Responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon T.D., has highlighted the significant number of fatalities on Irish farms in 2020 as a result of workplace incidents. There were 19 fatal incidents on farms in 2020, with three of these being children under the age of 18, and nine being farmers aged 65 or more. This follows 25 fatalities in 2017, 15 in 2018 and 19 in 2019. Everyone is being asked, farmer or non-farmer, and whether you are on land, in any type of machinery, on a road, at home or anywhere. Be Careful Out There………………………………………………….Happy New Year.

- Contact Louis Murchan Tel;- 087-2857938 (B Ag Sc, Dip EIA Mgmt) Agricultural & Environmental Advisor

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