Farming News

FARM TRANSFERS

We have entered our second year under Covid-19, and the situation is not going to get much better in the coming months. At the current rate of vaccination, it is not expected to have all who are willing to get vaccinated, treated before Mid- to Late Autumn. In the meantime, The Show Must Go On.

Any farmers intending to transfer land or entitlements to family member(s) should decide as soon as possible, and begin the transfer process. As we are under Level-5 Restrictions, and will possibly shuffle between Levels 3, 4 and 5 for the next 6 months, it would be wise to get your affairs sorted early. Leaving things to the last minute may result in their wishes being delayed or not carried out, at all.

SHEEP CENSUS 2020

Just a final reminder to all sheep farmers that the closing date to submit the annual sheep Census is approaching, 31st January 2021. When completing said form, remember that the actual census date was 31st December 2020, and when signing, put this date down. Otherwise, this is quite a simple form. You are asked to fill in the numbers of ewes, rams, and other sheep types on the farm, and the total number of sheep over two years on the farm on the specified date. If you have no sheep at this time, but intend purchasing sheep at a later date, be it this year or next, tick the appropriate box. This will allow you retain an active Flock Number. Reactivating a dormant or dead flock number can be a hassle and time consuming.

BEAM 5% STOCKING REQUIREMENT

Approximately 18,000 farmer participants in the Beef Emergency Aid Measure (BEAM) have yet to meet the 5% reduction in organic nitrogen requirement, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed. Of the 32,444 farmers to receive €78 million in payments under the scheme, just 14,072 (43%) are currently meeting the requirement, according to the authority. The remaining farmers have until June 30, 2021 to make the necessary reductions of 5% of livestock manure nitrogen, compared to the reference period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 – or face a clawback of payments, as things stand. This would amount to more than €40 million if figures remain as they are, come July. Force majeure requests are dealt with on a case-bycase basis, but in general there is a precedent in other schemes for situations relating to TB restrictions to qualify as force majeure. “80 requests have been received from farmers wishing to return the BEAM payment, and to date 65 of these requests have been processed,” the department representative added.

SHEEP WELFARE SCHEME ROLL-OVER TO 2021

The Sheep Welfare Scheme provides financial support to farmers for taking extra steps to improve the welfare of their flock. Farmers get €10 per breeding ewe for completing flock welfare measures. To qualify for the scheme you must: • submit a Basic Payment Scheme application for each year of scheme • submit a sheep census return for each year during the lifetime of the scheme - an exception is made for new entrants in year of entry • have an active herd number - or be a new entrant - and keep breeding ewes • maintain the required number of breeding ewes during the scheme You must complete two welfare measures to qualify for payment. The targeted welfare areas include: • lameness control

• mineral supplementation of ewes post mating • meal feeding lambs post weaning • parasite control (faecal egg count) • management of pregnant ewes (scanning) • flystrike control • mineral supplementation of lambs pre-weaning You must also maintain the necessary records and comply with the Conditions

12 Corca Dhuibhne Beo

for the 2020 Sheep Welfare Scheme including Cross Compliance. Those undertaking parasite control must use the approved list of laboratories for sampling. You are paid €10 per breeding ewe and the scheme year will run from 1 February 2020 to 31 January 2021. Reductions in payment will apply where not all actions are completed. For the 2021 scheme, existing participants in the Sheep Welfare Scheme will automatically be enrolled in the 2021 scheme. New entrants should email (sheepscheme@agriculture. gov.ie) or write to: Sheep Welfare Section, Department of Agriculture, Government Buildings, Old Abbeyleix Rd, Portlaoise, Co Laois requesting to join the 2021 sheep welfare scheme. The scheme closes to new applicants on the 31st of January 2021.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE - MAJOR RESEARCH CALL

The Junior Minister of Agriculture, Martin Heydon, T.D. welcomed the EU call for Research Proposals under its International research programme which call specifically focuses on tackling the rising threat of antibiotic resistance. This call includes 30 funding organisations from 21 member countries and including commitments from the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine under its support for Research has a total estimated call budget is €24.9 million. This will lead to innovative interventions to control the development and transmission of antibiotic resistance in and/or between One Health settings. In order to successfully address AMR the primary goal of the agri-food sector must be to reduce antibiotic usage through maintaining the highest possible standards in animal health. The call invites eligible Research Performing Organisations to submit collaborative research proposals directed at addressing the issue. Through this research call, it is intended to create and reinforce the collaboration between research partners coming from different countries and different fields of expertise to Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is resistance of a microorganism to a drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by that microorganism. Resistant microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites) are able to withstand attack by antimicrobial drugs, such as antibacterial drugs (e.g., antibiotics), anti-fungals, anti-virals, and antimalarials, so that standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist, increasing the risk of spread to others. The 'One Health' concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. Recognising that human health, animal health and ecosystem health are inextricably linked, ‘One Health’ seeks to promote, improve and defend the health and well-being of all species by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, other scientific health and environmental professionals and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals. - Contact Louis Murchan Tel;- 087-2857938 (B Ag Sc, Dip EIA Mgmt) Agricultural & Environmental Advisor

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The Dingle Bookshop is now open for on-line sales only www.dinglebookshop.com. Please browse our new website for your lockdown best reads and we can post to you. It’s only €3 within Ireland. Thank you to all our customers for their continuing support and please remember to shop local. Happy 2021 from Aideen, Camilla, Mike and Jill.

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