West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

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West Cork FARMING LOCAL AGRICULTURE | LOCAL PEOP Spring 2014 LE www.southernstar.ie/News/Farming Preview of the National Ploughing Championships Looking after health of farmers 24 PAGES of agri products and services Some useful advice on cashflow Ger Coughlan Innishannon Wiliam Morris Ballydehob Meet the farmers Carbery’s best milk suppliers

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Transcript of West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

Page 1: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

West Cork FARMINGLOCAL AGRICULTURE | LOCAL PEOP Spring 2014LE

www.southernstar.ie/News/Farming

Preview of the NationalPloughingChampionships

Looking afterhealth offarmers

24 Pages of agri products and services

some usefuladvice oncashflow

ger CoughlanInnishannon

Wiliam MorrisBallydehob

Meet the farmers

Carbery’s best milk suppliers

Page 2: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

2 3West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

Welcome to our Autumn 2014 edition of West Cork FarmingWHILE it’s nice to be able to report another fine summer and a great harvest, while an Indian summer helps to shorten the coming winter for us, despite the prevailing feelgood veneer, all is not entirely rosy in the garden for farmers.The value of Irish food and drink exports increased by 9% last year, with revenues almost €3bn higher than in 2009, but the extra earnings are not finding their way

into the pockets or bank accounts of farmers. Statistics show an average family farm income of less than €26,000pa in 2013, compared with over €30,000 in 2011.With the abolition of milk quotas due next year, production is being stepped up in order to take advantage of the new regime, but this means that many dairy farmers will end up over-quota this year and will be facing super-

levy fines; the cuter ones will have factored this into their financial projections and be able to get over it and move on. This magazine contains some useful financial advice for those who may need it.More milk is going to drive prices down, so farmers are going to have to get even more efficient in order to keep production costs down and maintain their margins. This will be made difficult by commodity

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Cork West team for National Ploughing Championships

Pictured at the launch of the Cork West team for the National Ploughing Championships, to be held next week in stradbally, Co Laois, are – standing, from left – adrian grace, loy ploughing; gerard Kirby, under 21; Matthew Coakley, 3-furrow; gordon Jennings, single furrow; Liam O’Driscoll, senior reversible; ger Collins, under 40 horse; Jim grace, intermediate; Barry O’sullivan, 2-furrow senior, and Dan Hurley, 3-furrow reversible. seated: Patrick Buckley, Muskery Macra na Feirme; John Wolfe, trailer vintage; John Keohane, hydraulic vintage; Michael Ryan, Maxol Oils, sponsor, presenting a team jersey to siobhan Hennessey, ‘Farmerette’; John O’Donovan, senior horse, and David Walsh, Carbery Macra na Feirme.

(Photo: Donie Hurley)

Preview of ploughing finals on pages 16 and 17.

prices fluctuating far more than heretofore, but everyone will have to get used to that. Similarly, grain prices have come down because of bumper yields and a worldwide over-supply this year. The well-documented dispute over prices that beef farmers are being paid by meat factories and supermarkets is ongoing and needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

Implementing CaPThere are many issues regarding the implementation of the revised Common Agricultural Policy with less money to go around and those who feel they need it most not getting as much as they had hoped for, especially in peripheral areas like West Cork. There are disputes over eligibility for important rural development programmes and environmental schemes, such as GLAS.However, in spite of the various difficulties – most of which can be got over with constructive engagement – it is still a good time to be a farmer in West Cork and all of the farmers we spoke to, especially in our vox pop inside about the UN International Year of Family Farming, were positive and even optimistic about prospects for the future. Farming’s most valuable assets are the people involved and they are now highly-trained, with skills and knowledge to allow them to develop their enterprises in a planned, businesslike and ultimately sustainable manner.Farming issues are a source of great interest in the rural community that is West Cork and, to reflect this better, The Southern Star is planning some exciting new developments in its weekly coverage of West Cork farming in the coming months. Anyone who wishes to make their opinions on agricultural issues known may contact us by phone on 028-21200 or email [email protected].

Yours sincerely,Con DowningEditor of The Southern Star

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MARTIN Hurley is halfway through his term at the head of the table as chairman of Cork Marts. While a farmer all his life, Martin has found his time as chairman both rewarding and challenging.‘I am the first chairman elected from the Skibbereen Marts committee and my job is to publicly represent the board and to lead the meetings. I work very closely with the CEO, Sean O’Sullivan, and I also represent the 11,000 shareholders in Cork Marts,’ Martin told The Southern Star.With over 170,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep sold annually at the Cork Marts facilities in Skibbereen and Corrin in North Cork as well as a number of other farming events and conferences, Martin has had a very busy year as chairman.

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changed a lot over the years and a lot of people are not getting the exercise they used to in days gone by. ‘This, coupled with no portion control at meal times, has lead to us seeing an increase in the number of farmers presenting at clinics with a risk of developing diabetes,’ clinical nurse Ber O’Riordan said. ‘A well-balanced nutritious diet is very important, as is regular exercise. I know a lot of farmers feel that they work very hard and get all the exercise they need, but working hard in the tractor at silage for six hours for example, is not a good work-out for the body. ‘Also, farming is a stressful and sometimes highly-pressurised occupation, so it is important that some time is set aside to relax and to have some down time, not only for your physical health, but for your

mental health as well,’ PJ Cooke continued.Farm safety is another area that the HSE is keen to highlight for all those working in agriculture: ‘In partnership with the Health Safety Authority, we are in farms throughout the country every day of the week highlighting the importance of farm safety. Farms can be dangerous places and by taking a few simple measures and being aware of safety procedures, farm accidents can be reduced significantly,’ PJ Cooke

concluded.However, if there was one message at the HSE tent in Bantry it was that regular medical check ups are vitally important. ‘For example up to 70 percent of diabetes cases are preventable, if it is detected early. I would always advise getting a medical check at least once a year, watch your diet, watch your portion control and get some exercise,’ Nurse Ber O’Riordan said.

Looking out forfarmers’ health

Q&AWILLIaM MORRIs, from Ballydehob, who was a finalist in the 2014 FBD Macra Young Farmer of the Year, tells The Southern Star about his life, his likes and dislikes and reveals what makes him tick …Where were you born?Bon Secours in Cork

Family:Parents Jim and Sheila and sister Sinead

schools attended:St Patrick’s Boys’ NS, SkibbereenSt Fachtna’s De La Salle Secondary SchoolClonakilty Agricultural College

Occupation:Dairy farmer

Best friend:A lots of good friends, no best friend in particular

earliest childhood memory:First day of school

apart from your family, who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?One of my friends

Public figure you admire the most:Peter O’Mahony (Munster rugby captain)

Public figure that irritates you the most:Todd Hoffman (Gold Rush series)

Where’s your favourite place in the world?Cape Reinga, NZ

Favourite place in West Cork?Kinsale or the Mizen coast

Dinner party at home or a night in the pub?Night in the pub

Members of Bantry Bay Lions Club, who accommodated the Hse West Cork Community Care men’s health information service at Bantry show, pictured with Hse south nurses PJ Cooke, Tricia Walsh and Ber O’Riordan. (Photo: Tony McElhinney)

What’s your signature dish, if you’re cooking?Store-bought pizza and garlic bread Hangover cure:7am milkingFavourite sporting moment:O’Donovan Rossa Junior B hurling championship debut versus Kilbree, 1998

Favourite book:‘Fatherland’ by Robert Harris

Favourite film:One of the MCU films

Favourite TV programme:Person of Interest, Agents of Shield

Favourite heart-throb or pin-up:Jennifer Aniston

Morning person or night owl?Morning person, but during the winter I’m more a night owl – no cows to milk

Christmas morning or Midsummer’s Day?Midsummer’s day

Your proudest moment:Being named FBD Student of the Year 2005

What makes you happy?Spending time with friends

How would you like to be remembered?As someone who made the most of his talents and opportunities

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Page 4: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

6 7West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

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FBD Young Farmer of the Year for 2013, John Buckley, has spent the last twelve months enjoying the fruits of his hard work and dedication to his dairy farm.John, who runs a dairy farm with his father in Colomane just outside Bantry, was on hand to wish this year’s finalists all the best at the FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2014 awards, which were held at a gala evening at the Westlodge Hotel in Bantry.Speaking to The Southern Star after the ceremony, which saw Mayo man Sean O’Donnell take the 2014 prize, John said that his year was very exciting, but went by very quickly.‘The year was very quick in going by. Winning the FBD Young Farmer of the Year in 2013 was a great opportunity and I wanted to and did make the most of the experience. Immediately after the award ceremony last year it was off to the Ploughing Championship where I met the Minister for Agriculture. I took part in a strategic review with Macra and got to visit the Google headquarters in Dublin; that was an incredible experience,’ John said.After winning the top prize, which came with a travel bursary of €3,000, John found that he had access, not

only to the Minister for Agriculture whom he met several times, but also to top names in the farming world. ‘I was delighted to be able to discuss some of the issues facing, not only myself on our farm, but issues that are of concern to many farmers across the country,’ John continued.

To WalesWith his €3,000 travel bursary John travelled to Wales to visit a number of dairy farms there.‘It was very interesting to see how people in another country are dealing with issues that we face here in West Cork as well. I learned a lot and I was really delighted to see first hand how other farmers did things on their farms,’ John continued.Now back in Colomane, John is working hard to implement some of the lessons he has learned over the past 12 months. ‘The whole experience was fantastic. For one entering the competition in the first place made me really look at the way we do thing here on the farm. It focused the need for tighter efficiencies, showed me where our strengths were and pointed out any issues that needed to be deal with. It was also good to get an outside view of our farm. ‘The year went by all too quickly now we are focused on the challenges coming down the line for dairy farmers “

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Culture change needed to save lives on farms

Ciaran RocheTHE unfortunate rise in the number of fatal accident on farms is a significant concern and it is an issue that we need to address now. The pain, human suffering and economic loss that accompanies all serious and fatal accidents is immense and I would like to extend my sympathy to all farm families and communities that have been affected by in this way.While farmers’ attitudes to health and safety are generally very positive a change in safety culture and behaviour is critical if we are to achieve

a reduction in farm accidents. Most farmers understand the hazards on their farms and their associated risks, but they often take chances when they are in a hurry, under stress or when there is a financial cost. Recent research has identified that farmers are more likely to take chances if it is seen as a perceived norm within the industry. For example some farmers may operate a tractor with brakes in poor condition as long as the tractor is not used on a public road. Many farmers also allow children under the age of 14 to operate tractors and other hazardous machinery. The acceptability of these unsafe working behaviours is a culture that we must change. ‘Unsafe working practices are never acceptable’; this is the perceived norm that we need to see in the farming sector. If we can create a positive safety culture on farms, behavioural change and safer farming practices will follow.Anyone who has ever made and broken a new year resolution can appreciate the difficulty of behaviour change. Making a lasting change in behaviour is rarely a simple process, and usually involves a substantial

commitment of time, effort and emotion. Many unsafe practices on Irish farms are learned behaviours, which have been passed down for generations, but is it fair to pass these on to the next generation? With this in mind, it is imperative that we target the farmers of the future as well as the farmers of today. Behavioural change is rarely easy and often requires a gradual progression of small steps toward a larger goal. Changing behaviour is a slow process but it is imperative if progress is to be made.A combination of cultural based and behaviour based safety approaches works best. Cultural based serve to shape the perceptions held by individuals regarding the importance of safety. It puts a high value on safety. The behavior-based safety approach focuses on the identification and modification of critical safety behaviours, e.g. ensuring the PTO is only operated when it is guarded, ensuring that only safe means of access to areas at heights are used, ensuring tractors are driven in a safe manner, etc.Farmers also need to look at issues

that negatively affect their safety behaviour when working such as distractions, stress and time constraints. Safety must not be left to chance. Farmers need to manage health and safety on their farm and effectively plan work activities. This planning must include planned safety maintenance on farm machinery, equipment and facilities.There are three key steps involved in farming safely.: 1. The first step is realizing that an accident can happen on your farm and having a positive attitude towards health and safety. 2. The second step is to carry out a risk assessment. A risk assessment involves identifying every hazard on your farm, the associated risks and appropriate safety control measures. 3. The third and most important step is implementing the safety control measures and ensuring that safe behavioural work practices are carried out at all times. Always think safety first.

•Ciaran Roche is FBD risk manager and vice-chairman of the Farm safety Partnership

Page 5: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

8 9West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

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Richard Murphy and David shields of Drinagh Co-op with Kieran O’sullivan, overall winners of the Carbery Quality Milk award 2014, his father Donal O’sullivan and Joe O’sullivan, CeO

of Drinagh Co-Op, at the recent Carbery-Teagasc farm walk on the farm at Dunmanus, goleen. (Photos: Denis Boyle)

Three generations of Goleen familyhelp to produce Carbery’s best milk

This is an exercise carried out each year where Carbery and Teagasc bring their expert advisers from all over Munster to the farm of the top-quality milk producer for the Carbery Group, with his co-operation and the assistance of his local co-op – Drinagh in this instance. The set-up consists of six stands along the farm with an adviser or two on each stand speaking on the various aspects of farm husbandry, and especially the most economical ways and means of quality milk production. At the outset, Billy Kelleher, Teagasc boss in Cork West, gave an outline of the general set-up and David Connolly, chairman of Drinagh Co-Op, welcomed everyone and expressed the hope that their presence would prove beneficial and rewarding for them. On behalf of the Carbery Group, Paddy Barrett, quality control manager, spoke about the top-of-the-range products they produce and how much they depend on quality at farm level. ‘Our customers are extremely quality-conscious,’ Paddy said, ‘and we need to keep upping the ante and be a step ahead of the posse all the time. More and more farmers are getting into the quality groove each year, which ensures that we are there for the long haul.’

The large gathering moved in groups to each of the six stands. At the first stand, host farmer Kieran O’Sullivan gave a detailed account of the farming activities. While the farm extends to 107 hectares, a certain amount is marginal and quite an amount a mile from the farmyard. At present, there are 124 cows milking, with TBC at 7,000 and SCC at 100,000. Butterfat is at 3.98 and Protein at 3.57 – quite a remarkable achievement given the numbers involved. The herd is 100% British Friesian which are more adaptable to his location than other breeds. Kieran acknowledged the role played by his wife son and parents in the successful running of the farm. At the second stand Tim O’Regan (Drinagh Co-Op) and Conor Joyce (Teagasc) gave details of the Drinagh bonus and the Bord Bia audit. Kieran O’Sullivan spoke again at the third stand on the means whereby he has improved the milk quality on the farm and Eleanor Murphy (Teagasc) spoke at length on the various methods of milk cooling and how to economise on the use of water, while Tom Ryan (Teagasc) also spoke on the various water systems. Moving on to stand four we met Niamh Hurley (Teagasc), who told us all about the production and management of

GOLEEN’S Kieran O’Sullivan is the main driver behind the success of his family farm at Dunbeacon on the Mizen Peninsula which won this year’s Carbery Quality Milk Award, emerging as the overall winner from the four West Cork co-ops.However, he does not fo it all on his own and three generations of the O’Sullivan family are involved in the successful enterprise, including

Kieran’s wife Catherine, son Cathal and parents Donal and Mary O’Sullivan also play a vital role in the running of the farm.A farm walk was held recently in brilliant sunshine on the family farm, looking out over the Mizen, with historic Dunmanus Castle for a backdrop. Upwards of 500 people from all over the county and beyond attended.

O’Sullivans supplyDrinagh Co-Op

FaRMINg FOR THe FuTuReTHE Carbery Sustainability Initiative is an ongoing process of production and processing improvement, with short and long-term goals for Carbery, co-ops and supplier farms. Long-term, it is seen as a move towards sustainable dairying, having a positive impact on our environment, while also gaining recognition for the Irish dairy industry. This programme has been designed by the dairy industry and Bord Bia to continue the guarantee of high-quality, safe milk supplied to processors, including Carbery, from sustainable farms in

West Cork and across Ireland to the international marketplace, while also seeking to highlight the excellent commitment and work carried out by milk suppliers to date. Some of the areas covered in the programme are traceability, animal health and welfare, biosecurity, environment, health and safety, sustainability and milk quality. However, while giving credit to Teagasc and Carbery, one has to admire the strengths of the O’Sullivans’ system to ensure good milk quality.

autumn grass especially in a quota situation. On the fifth stand, John McNamara complimented Kieran on achieving such a high EBI (139), with good breeding stock and practically all the cows calved in nine week. Mr McNamara complimented Kieran for staying with the British Friesian which have served him so well and, as Kieran himself said, they are good average all-round cows for walking long distances. Don Crowley and Eugene Hayes (Teagasc) shared the sixth stand on hygiene in the milking parlour and

the ‘Johne’s’ testing programme, which the West Cork co-ops and Carbery are asking all suppliers to avail of. Amongst the large gathering were Joe O’Sullivan, CEO, Drinagh Co-Op and his deputy, Seamus Daly, representatives from many of the other co-op’s, and prominent farm leaders, including Richard Connell, chairman of West Cork IFA, and Corney Buckley. At the end of the day, Drinagh Co-Op displayed their hospitality with refreshments for all on such an auspicious ocassion.

Drinagh Co-Op milk suppliers Kieran and Catherine O’sullivan, Dunmanus, hosted a large crowd of farmers on their farm after winning the 2014 Carbery Quality Milk award.

Page 6: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

10 11West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

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Cashflow plan key for farmersDonal Whelton, AIB agri-adviser, highlights the role of farm business and cashflow planning in ever volatile markets

THE development of agricultural output prices over the course of this year serve as a reminder, should we need one, of how exposed Irish farmers are to the dynamics of the global marketplace. Supply, demand and weather events across the world impact, both positively and negatively, on farm gate prices in every corner of Ireland.This year increased global supplies of both milk and cereals have

served to decrease farm gate prices domestically, while altered consumer demands and trade restrictions in key export markets have in part impacted on both beef and pig prices. The difficulty with price volatility is that it poses considerable challenges for both farmers and industry alike. It makes financial planning much more difficult, and cash flow management at farm level much more critical. While not in itself a new phenomenon, volatility is likely to remain a feature of the industry into the future, and something we need to learn and adapt to. In the context of farm investment, projections should be based on conservative market prices, taking a

multi annual view of farm performance. This ensures that projections are realistic and reflect the actual average farm performance. When investing at times of heightened commodity prices, it is important to think long term and factor in the lean years. It is also prudent to give consideration to how you will manage through periods of reduced income, should they arise, and put a plan in place. This is particularly key when undertaking significant investment when a farm can be more exposed to volatility as savings tend to be depleted, bank repayments tend to be higher and farm efficiency may in fact be reduced. At farm level, having an annual cashflow plan in place allows you

to plan the level of working capital that you need for the year ahead. Comparing the actual cashflow to the plan on a monthly basis will enable you to identify issues or indeed opportunities at an early stage and take action. A cashflow plan is particularly key when farm revenue is decreasing or when costs are increasing greater than anticipated,.

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Page 7: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

12 13West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

The UN International Year of Family Farming – how’s it for you so far?Brian MooreWITH the UN International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) well and truly under way, The Southern Star spoke with a number of farming families across the region to find out just what working on the land is like in 2014.Agricultural Minister Simon Coveney TD sees the farming family as the backbone of the Irish and European model of agriculture. ‘In Ireland, the CSO’s Census of Agriculture in 2010 showed that there were almost 140,000 farms in Ireland, a decline of only 1% in farm numbers since the

previous Census of Agriculture in 2000 and 99.8% of farms were in family ownership. ‘The challenge is to ensure that our family farms are supported so that they are competitive and productive but can also deliver these added environmental and social objectives,’ Minister Coveney told The Southern Star.However, it seems that many of the farmers attending the ever-popular Bantry Agricultural Show were unaware that 2014 was designated the UN Year of Family Farming. RICHaRD FORBes

Richard Forbes, a dairy farmer from Enniskeane, had heard about the UN Year of Family Farming at a local meeting of the IFA: ‘Yes, I have heard of it but I don’t know what it’s all about. After the mention of it I haven’t heard anything since. ‘It’s been a good year so far but milk prices are dropping a bit. I am hopeful that the future on the farm at home will be bright, I have a young family and it’s important that they can see a future for themselves in farming and that all we can do is to work toward this goal,’ Richard Forbes said.

BROTHeRs MICHaeL aND JaMes BaRReTT

Brothers Michael and James Barrett from Ballineen are optimistic when it comes to the future on the family farm: ‘I didn’t know that this is the UN Year of Family Farming; I have to admit I haven’t heard anything about it. It’s been a very good year, the good weather has produced a good silage harvest for the winter but costs are still rising especially in feed and fertilizer. At the moment it’s important to hold steady and look to the future as optimistically as possible,’ Michael Barrett said.

aNNeTTe suLLIVaNAnnette Sullivan, who is farming in Reendonegan outside Bantry, also had not heard of the UN Year of Family Farming: ‘I wasn’t aware of any events to mark this UN Year of Family Farming, but I think it is important especially in Ireland to recognise and celebrate farming families. ‘2014 has been good but beef prices are a major concern for the future and while farming can be a very stressful way of life I am confident that Irish farming has a bright future,’ Annette said.

WILLIaM MORRIs

FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2014 finalist William Morris from Ballydehob was aware of the UN Year of Family Farming. ‘There was a competition in the Farmers’ Journal and that’s how I heard of the designation; after that I didn’t see or hear of any other events taking place to highlight the year. ‘I am positive that there is a bright future on Irish family farms, but I think we have to ensure that there is something to encourage the next generation to want to continue working on the farms. This is a goal that we have to set for ourselves and work towards,’ William Morris said.

DeRMOT KeLLeHeR

ICSA suckler chairman Dermot Kelleher, from Inchigeela, has questioned the response of the Irish government and the EU to the UN International Year of Family Farming: ‘Is there any one constructive action that the EU and the Irish government have taken that will actually benefit the ordinary farming family? One of the key objectives of the UN International Year of Family Farming is to support the development of policies conducive to sustainable family farming. ‘What has been done in this regard? Minister Coveney has overseen a sustained period of low beef prices, which are going to put many families in the suckler sector out of business. Celebrating and creating awareness around family farming is all well and good, but particularly in the drystock sector, there won’t be many farming families left to celebrate unless action is taken on the beef crisis,’ Mr. Kelleher said.

sIMON COVeNeY

Minister Coveney also acknowledged that the family farm is the only way forward for the future of Irish farming: ‘As part of World Food Day 2014 in October which has IYFF as its theme, my Department and a number of NGOs from the development and agriculture sector are collaborating on a publication to raise awareness of family farms role in addressing global food security issues in a sustainable manner,’ the minister concluded.

John Buckley, FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2013, is very positive about the future of family farms in Ireland: ‘Family farms are going to change in Ireland and it is some thing that we all have to adapt to. There is a future in farming for anyone who is willing to see this as a very competitive business and works hard to ensure that his or her business is as efficient and as productive as possible. ‘Family farms are an ideal system that ensures that there is a steady and sustainable future for agriculture on this island,’ John Buckley told The Southern Star.

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“ Wishing the best of luck to the West Cork Ploughing Team and especialy to our staff member the Farmerette Siobhan Hennessey ”

John McCarthy, Managing Director of JMC Parts, Reenascreena, making a Sponsorship Presentation to the Cork West Ploughing Team for All Ireland Ploughing Championship 2014. Left to right: Ger Coakley, Cork West Team, Richard White, PRO, Denis Keohane, Chairman of Clonakilty Ploughing, John McCarthy, JMC Parts, Barry O’Driscoll, Senior Business Manager of JMC Parts and Kieran Coakley, Cork West Team.

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Page 8: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

14 15West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

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New additions to the brood

Deirdre Sheehan

SO, the brood has been added to in recent weeks with the addition of two geese. The other half has an amazing talent of always being in the way of such information as animals in need of a good home. They were being kept as pets but at a rental property and for some reason did not gain the favour of the landlord and got asked to vacate the premises. And so the other half came to the rescue and now we have geese.We have yet to name them but they are very friendly towards people, not so much with the dogs who are all a bit bemused by them and they do have beautiful feathers. Although I grew up on the farm, our animals were all of the bovine variety and I have rarely been in the company of geese. We did have a pet goat once but she died after eating something poisonous. According to the other half’s carefully prepared ‘the advantages of having geese’ spiel, top of their list of talents is slug-eating. Now, this is a talent worth having as far as I’m concerned. I try to maintain cordial relations with all of the creatures these days, but my tolerance level is severely pushed when it comes to slugs. The vegetable growing of recent years means I come into far more contact with our slimy friends than I really care for, so the possibility of the geese keeping down my exposure is music to my ears and I practically need no more convincing though it’s fun not letting the other half off the hook too easily!

Run out ofI am also reliably informed that the geese will clear some ground for us though this is already a talent the pigs

have and I’m concerned we will run out of ground at the rate we are acquiring animals. Having had an amazing spring and summer outside the journey is nearly over for what’s left of our first batch of pigs. It’s almost 14 months since these ladies were born and I’m glad to say they have had a great old time of it for the most part. I love that they wag their tails like dogs when they’re happy. The plan has changed somewhat though and it seems the initial enthusiasm for the possibilities of pig rearing has not waned in the slightest. In fact it has increased. So, while we think Missy the matriarch is at the retiring stage, apparently we are keeping two of our remaining four offspring to start the whole process again and breed them both once a year. It must be said that there is certainly a market for it – not least in our own freezer!

DistributionWe were at an interesting meeting during the week hosted by the West Cork Development Partnership for food producers looking at the possibilities for distribution both locally and nationally. It seems getting the product to market is the same time consuming process for all producers and another common thread is the fact that there is a lot of criss-crossing of vans and routes all separately going to similar locations. Total Produce, an Irish company, which is the largest fresh produce provider in Europe and the fourth largest in the world, has four trucks coming in and out of West Cork each day. Models in operation in other places like the recently-launched Irish Food Co-op in the South East and the Food and Drink Hub in Scotland were looked at. I’m looking forward to learning more about these possibilities for collaboration in the food sector to create more efficient and cost-effective distribution for all concerned.

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because more and more customers are seeking dairy products that come from an accredited source.’With the SDAS in place, Tim said: ‘Ireland will be the only country systematically measuring and improving its environmental performance on a national scale.’ The scheme is open to all milk producers who are supplying milk

processors in the Republic of Ireland. The milk suppliers, who sign up to the scheme, will have an audit carried out on their farm every 18 months. The auditor will check that the farm conforms to good agricultural practice, as well as meeting legal and market requirements in a number of key areas including milk quality, animal welfare,

environment protection and farm safety.In addition, the auditor will record farm performance measures that will allow the carbon footprint of the farm to be calculated. Water, energy use and biodiversity will also be noted.So far, 70 Drinagh milk suppliers have received accreditation under the new scheme, which compares favourably with the Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme (BLQAS) – both of which can be carried out on the same day, thereby saving a lot of time and effort. Tim confirmed that Drinagh Co-Op is the only West Cork co-op that is paying a bonus to each supplier joining the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme.The bonus is worth an estimated €430 per annum to any farmer supplying 60,000 gallons of milk annually.‘The period between October to December is a good time of the year to have the on-farm inspection carried out,’ said Tim, who said he would be happy to assist anyone who would like to become accredited to the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme. Phone: 028-30800.

Page 9: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

16 17West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

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Murty Fitzgerald – a man of the people

National Ploughing Championships back in Stradbally again this yearJohn SextonWHEN it’s the third week of September, it must be All-Ireland ploughing time, and this year sees us back again in the heart of the misty rolling midlands for the second successive year. No doubt, the success of last years event which attracted almost a quarter of a million was sufficient proof to keep the event at the same venue in Stradbally, Co Laois. Indeed the NPA has gained great prestige during the past week with the great success of the Irish team at the World Championships, in Bordeaux, France, where Eamonn Tracey (Carlow) was declared world champion in the conventional class and John Whelan (Wexford) was placed third in the reversible class. Competing against the best from 28 other countries, it was quite a marvelous achievement to see our Irish team bring home gold and bronze. For an event which started in 1931, with 27 ploughmen representing nine counties, it has now grown to the extent that this year’s National Ploughing Championships will see up to 350 competitors representing every county plus a few from Britain and mainland Europe. Of course, these championships have now become the biggest outdoor show, not alone here in Ireland, but throughout the Continent of Europe. Proof of this comes from the comments of the British under-secretary for agriculture, who told us a few years ago that it completely surpassed the Royal Show. There is everything to be got at the ploughing from the proverbial needle to an anchor. There are stands catering for all the rural organisations, all the political parties, all the government departments, all the modern designs of agricultural and industrial machinery and, for the ladies, the most up-to-date in fashions. This year also sees a brown bread baking competition, which has attracted an extremely large entry from all over the country. Performing the official launch on site last week, Mrs Anna May McHugh,

managing director of the NPA, just back from the World Championships in France, said: ‘The championships not only provide a national stage for showcasing all things agricultural, but also bring together people from all sectors of Irish society, both rural and urban, to enjoy three days immersed in country living” On the actual ploughing front, Cork holds an extremely strong hand. Since day one, teams from the county have competed in every All-Ireland and interest and competition has developed to such extent that Cork had has two-county status since 1986. Both Cork East and Cork West are fielding full teams and, in keeping with previous years, we can expect an amount of silverware coming south. Members of the Cork West team (see panel) who we feel should be in the final shake-up for trophies are Barry O’Sullivan in the senior, class, Liam O’Driscoll and Gerard Coakley, both of whom have represented the country in reversible; Kieran Coakley, a former winner at under 28 level; John Keohane, vintage; Ger Kirby, under 21; Ger Collins, under 40, and the team’s new ‘Farmerette,’ Siobhan Hennessy, who has the assistance of a professional coach and could well take on the best. Scanning over the Cork East line-up, we notice the name of Kelleher (a nephew of the great Thady), so the tradition is being kept alive. Let’s hope that ploughmen from Cork East and West will do the county proud next week. May God Speed The Plough.

• In all types of sport and competition, every year carries with it the passing of some notable personalities, people who have made their mark and a lasting impression through their personal involvement in life, and ploughing is no exception. While every county will have its own losses, here in West Cork, two recently-deceased men come readily to mind: Murty Fitzgerald and sean Connolly.

John Sexton

EARLIER this year, the Parish of Aughadown lost with one of its most illustrious sons, as Murty Fitzgerald of Lissaclarig passed to his eternal reward. Murty was no ordinary type of man, having scaled the heights of excellence in his chosen activities of life. A farmer of excellence, he was well known as a breeder and exhibitor of bloodstock at the local shows, but most especially at his beloved Carbery Show in which he took great pride in its success as a steward and executive member. To meet him on show day was both a pleasure and a privilege because, in his own inimitable way, he could recall some of the outstanding shows of the past, the exhibitors and exhibits which made them famous. But, it was as a Ploughman of excellence, that Murty’s name became a household one, far from Church Cross, Skibbereen, and even beyond Cork County. Coming from a territory, where tillage farming is not so practical, Murty mastered the art of ploughing to the extent that he usually worked before a gallery of admirers at ploughing fixtures all over the county

and beyond. He was a member of the Cork West team at many All-Ireland championships, partnering stalwarts like Gerry Horgan and Thady Kelleher. Proving his ability on the national scene, he was the winner of two senior All-Ireland titles. At Oakpark, in Carlow, in 1989 he won the Special Horse Class and, three years later, in 1992, he won the Supreme Championship, when the national event was held in Carrigtwohill in East Cork). During those years, competition in horse ploughing (the original of the species) was extremely keen, because as well as Gerry Horgan and Thady Kelleher from Co Cork, other top ploughmen of the time included John Halpin (Wicklow), Tom Reilly (Galway), Michael Kinsella and John Kent (Wexford), but Murty always matched up to the best of them. At his funeral in the New Cemetery, Skibbereen, his grandson, Matthew, gave a beautiful rendition of the ballad ‘Horses and Plough,’ as mourners said goodbye to Murty. No doubt, he will also be fondly remembered at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois next week. He is survived by his wife Netty,

CORK WesT PLOugHINg TeaM FOR NaTIONaL CHaMPIONsHIPs

REPRESENTING Cork West Ploughing Association at the All-Ireland Ploughing Championships in Co Laois next week will be:senior Tractor: Barry O’SullivanIntermediate Tractor: Jim Grace Jimmy Nyhanunder 28: Kieran Coakleyunder 21: Gerard KirbyLadies’ Class: Siobhan Hennessysenior Reversible: Liam O’Driscoll Michael Wycherleyunder 28 Reversible: Gerard Coakleystandard Reversible: Dan Hurleystandard 3 Furrow: Matt CoakleyHydraulic Vintage: John KeohaneTrailer Vintage: John Wolfesingle Furrow: Gordon Jenningssenior Horse: John O’Donovanunder 40: Gerard Collinsspecial Horse: Tim LawlorLoy: Adrian GraceMacra Class: David Walsh, Carbery Patrick Buckley, Muskerry.

Sean Connolly – anentrepreneur supremeTHE recent death of Sean Connolly has robbed the parish of Timoleague and its wider hinterland of a man bestowed with more than ordinary talents, a man who was unique in many aspects of life. As assistant-secretary of the Timoleague Ploughing Association, he had more than a passing interest in the national scene, since his father, the late Dan Connolly, was a member of the National Council of the NPA for many years, being its president and assistant managing director on many occasions. From his youth, Sean took an active part in local rural organisations and, as a member of Macra na Feirme, he excelled at public speaking and debating, where his wit knew no bounds. With a keen interest in the dairy industry, he did a year’s course in Moorepark after which he became milking machine technician with

Barryroe Co-Op. This was a time when milking parlours were beginning to get popular and Sean saw the opportunity of getting directly involved in the business. Within a few years he held agencies for Gane and Ruakura and soon he became involved with the popular Dairymaster Group. It is a measure of the esteem which Sean was held by this group that its directors, Dr Edmond Harty and his father, Ned, who were on business in England, flew over to attend the requiem mass and funeral. Sean Connolly could always be found on the dairymaster stand during the National Ploughing Championships each year and the turn-out for his funeral bore testimony to his popularity, because there was scarcely a farmyard in the wide hinterland that he hadn’t visited, servicing milking machines and yard-scrapers.

ICMSA’s invitation for cuppa THE President of ICMSA has urged all West Cork farm families attending the upcoming National Ploughing Championships at Stradbally in County Laois to drop into his organisation’s stand (Number 331 on Row 23), right beside the NPA’s head office. John Comer said that his association has enjoyed a great affinity with West Cork farmers and that the current county executive, chaired by Enniskeane’s Tom Wilson, was greatly valued and respected within the 18,000-strong specialist dairy farmers’ organisation. ‘We’re issuing an open invitation to all our friends from West Cork to come in for light refreshments and to ask for help with any problems they may be having in relation to their farms. We’ll have experts on hand who’ll be only too happy to offer solutions and advice on any aspects of farming that might be causing concern. ‘Even if people just want to sit down for 20 minutes and have a cup of tea and

Page 10: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

18 19West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

Innishannon farmer discovers that pigslurry can be a valuable commodity

Able to spread it as a fertiliser for grass growth on his farm

Martin WalshLIKE so many Irish households, discussions around the kitchen table are the precursor to many plans and arrangements both for the short term and the future. In that respect a casual chat on a particular Sunday evening in the Coughlan residence somewhat ironically, located in the townland of Ballycoughlan, not far from Innishannon and on the L485 to Kinsale, has led to the use of pig slurry as a fertiliser for grass growth.At the outset, Gerard Coughlan, who farms the idyllic and sprawling landscape is keen to stress that it really wasn’t his idea at all, he was just the conduit – a case of right place, right time. ‘Really, it was my son Fergal and his girlfriend, Amy Quinn, who hails from Kilkenny. It was just fortunate that I had the soil tested and the project took off from there,’ said Ger. Fergal and Amy are both involved in farming through their respective roles in Teagasc. Fergal is farm manager in Darrara Agricultural College and Amy is involved in the pig industry and based at Moorepark outside Fermoy.Like any other aspect of Irish life, farming has advanced so much in the

past decades and the role of Teagasc cannot be overstated. Nowadays, farming is really a science and it’s not surprising to hear Ger trot out figures about Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium levels and speak about indexes, applications and yields with equal aplomb. Although he didn’t mention it, using pig slurry as a fertiliser is also a cost-saving exercise, albeit dependent on a few elements.Nitrate regulations and directives are problematic for some of the top dairy farmers – some of whom have to export slurry. Ger explained his situation: ‘Here, on our farm we got the grounds tested and it was discovered we had a low P (Phosphorus) and K (Potassium) problem. We had the ideal situation to do a trial test because sixty per cent of all farms are low in P and K. ‘Pig slurry is rich in these ingredients. It was something that Teagasc wanted to a do a trial on,’ he stated. The use of pig slurry as a fertiliser for grass growth also alleviates the problem of nitrates for the pig farmer. Interestingly, Ger admitted that he knew little or nothing about pig slurry prior to the project. ‘If you asked me about pig slurry about six months ago, I knew nothing about it. I didn’t

know if we would be allowed spread it, but as we got better educated about it, we now see it’s a very valuable commodity, it has its place.’Apparently, the majority of pig farmers are either dairy farmers or dry stock farmers and that brings its problems in terms of nitrate directive. ‘The difference between pig slurry and fertiliser is very marginal, if you have to transport pig slurry a big distance, you have a problem – as costs will eat out that advantage. If you have a pig farmer nearby, have the soil tests done and can take in the pig slurry, then it’s

economical,’ added Ger. Fortunate that Sean Hales was relatively nearby while agri-cContractor Tony O’Mahony provided the actual transport, neither parameters were an issue for the Coughlan family. In many respects it also illustrated that the ‘meitheal’ method is still very much part of our rural communities.The term ‘Location, location, location’ was big in the so-called property boom in the last decade, now it looks as if it has a new belonging.

ger Coughan (centre) pictured with sean Hales (left), from whose farm the pig slurry was sourced, and Diarmuid O’Mahony of Tony O’Mahony agri-Contractors, who provided the transport. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

at a recent farm walk on the farm of gerard Coughlan, Ballycoughlan, Innishannon, a presentation was made by the host farmer (left) to retired Teagasc advisor Jim Hurley, in appreciation of all the helpful advice provided during the development of his farm.

Adviser Jim Hurley aman before his time

‘A MAN before his time’ was how Ger Coughlan described former ACOT-Teagasc adviser and Innishannon native Jim Hurley. Such is the esteem in which he is held by Ger and the rest of the Coughlan family that they have developed a very special friendship down through the years.Once Teagasc had planned the recent open day’ to showcase the findings of the trial on his farm at Ballycoughlan, Innishannon, Ger had one main request – or, given the circumstances, perhaps it was more of a pre-condition: “When I found out that Teagasc were coming, I said to family, Fergal and Amy, there is nobody coming in here first without Jim Hurley, my Teagasc or ACOT instructor of the ’80s and ’90s. He is the first man I am going to invite.’Ger traced the association: ‘I left school at an early age to stay at home farming

and Jim was associated with ACOT in Bandon. He did his very best for everybody in West Cork as regards holding meetings and seminars, having farm walks and giving very valuable advice to the community. ‘I thought it would be appropriate, on behalf of my family, that we would salute Jim Hurley during the open day. It was fitting that he was honoured on the day, it was our way of saying thanks.“Personally, I think he was a man before his time really, I got great benefit out of him. I enjoy what I am doing now, some of the little steps he showed me back then are still practical today, forty years down the road. ‘Nowadays, we are being told to weigh our cattle every three to four weeks; Jim Hurley told me that 30 years ago. There are great men now – but there were also great men in the past.’

Farmer saves money using pig slurryAmy QuinnTeagasc, Moorepark THERE are 320 commercial pig units throughout Ireland producing over half a billion gallons of pig manure each year in the liquid form of pig slurry. Pig slurry is a valuable organic fertiliser for tillage and grassland farms due to its nutrient content. Its use can result in substantial fertiliser savings.The value of pig manure as a fertiliser

depends on how much chemical fertiliser is replaced as well as the cost of the chemical nutrients replaced. The fertiliser value of pig manure at 4.3% solids is currently valued at €5.60 per m3 when there is a requirement for N, P and K and when the availability of the N to the crop is 50%. This translates into €25.45 per 1000 gallons. As the solids content increases there will be a corresponding increase in the nutrient content and in the fertiliser value.

Farmers can make substantial savings by using pig slurry to replace the nutrients supplied by chemical fertilisers. The use of pig slurry based upon the value above of €25 per 1,000 gallons can yield substantial savings on fertiliser costs. One farmer who has demonstrated such savings was Gerard Coughlan of Ballycoughlan, Innishannon. At a recent Teagasc demonstration on Gerard’s farm it was shown that there was a saving of over €53 per acre on fertiliser costs on a silage field split into two plots when pig slurry was used. One plot received chemical fertiliser only (three bags of CAN and three bags of 0:7:30 per acre) on April 26th, while the other half received 2,500 gallons of pig slurry on April 19th and followed by a reduced level of chemical fertiliser (i.e. 1.3 bags of CAN and 1.6 bags of 0:7:30 per acre) on April 26th. The pig slurry was applied one week before the chemical fertiliser to ensure no loss of N by de-nitrification. The saving of €53 per acre (€130 per hectare) was achieved based on reduced chemical fertiliser purchases. The slurry transport cost was reduced in this case as the farmers’

own transport was used. Grass dry matter was measured weekly on the Coughlan farm and both plots yielded similar yields considering the earlier application of the pig slurry on plot one (5800 kg DM/ha) over the chemical fertiliser plot only (5150 kg DM/ha). Grass samples were taken on the Coughlan farm and analysed for feeding value (dry matter digestibility, water soluble carbohydrates, crude protein and buffering content). These measures of grass quality show that the use of pig slurry can give financial savings without compromising silage quality or yield.The preparation of a plan to substitute chemical fertiliser with pig slurry early in the year is important in order to ensure compliance with the ‘Nitrate’ regulations. Working with your agricultural adviser or consultant to ensure compliance with these regulations makes good sense and doing it early in the year can give substantial savings. For more details on using pig manure as a fertiliser or to be put in contact with a local pig farmer please contact your local pig advisor at http://www.teagasc.ie/pigs/staff/.

Table 1: Nutrient content and value of pig slurry (4.3% solids):

Note: 1m3 equals 220 gallons.*Based upon Chemical Fertiliser prices in February 2014 (ie Nitrogen at €1/kg, P at €2/kg and K at €1/kg).

Nitrogen Phosphorus PotassiumNutrient content kg / m3 4.2 0.8 1.9

Nutrient availability % 50 100 100

*Fertiliser cost per kg € 1.00 2.00 1.00

Value € 2.10 1.60 1.90

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Page 11: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

20 21West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

Eye doctors remind farmers to take protective

measures to help prevent eye injuriesA REMINDER from Ireland’s eye doctors to farmers to take care when carrying out activities which may result in an eye injury is a timely and important message.

The Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO), the body for eye doctors in Ireland, is reminding farmers to be aware of the risk of eye injuries due to certain farm activities. Simple precautions can help prevent and reduce the risk of accidental eye injuries occurring.

Human eyes are tough and have a certain degree

of natural protection, but this natural protection is no match for chemicals or when eyes are exposed to dangerous particles. Eye protection is needed in many daily farm activities. Farmers often wear eye protection for certain tasks, yet many needless eye injuries still occur which could have been prevented by wearing protective eye wear.

The eye doctors of Ireland recommend the following eye protection measures to help famers greatly reduce the risk of eye injuries;

• Protective eyewear should include side protection unless there is no possible chance of injury from side impact, splashes or sparks.

• Always put on protective eyewear before entering an area where hazards may be present.

• Eye protection must fit properly and comfortably, including when worn over prescription eyeglasses.

• Protective eyewear should be regularly checked for damage and replaced if there is any defect.

Here are a few tips from the ICO to help remind you of the recommended safety measures to take:

1. Know the hazardsMost farm eye injuries occur in the course of regular farm work and during common activities where dust particles, flying objects and chemical spray are expected elements in the work environment. Activities where eye injuries may occur include harvesting, hay making and other field jobs involving dust, chaff or other flying pieces; grinding, drilling, sawing, welding and other farm shop jobs; operating, maintaining and repairing farm machinery; spray painting; and handling and applying agricultural chemicals.

2. select the proper safety eyewearDifferent eye protection equipment is needed for different tasks. Eye protection should be selected on the basis of protection from a particular hazard.

Safety glasses provide moderate frontal protection against flying particles. Safety glasses with lenses and frames meeting industrial safety lens standards offer the greatest protection. Close-fitting safety glasses with brow-guards and side shields offer better protection than plain spectacles.

Goggles fit snugly around the eyes, providing protection from all angles. If you wear prescription glasses, most goggles will fit around them. Goggles are usually ventilated and can be treated with an anti-fog solution. They are also available in eyecup and wire mesh models. Goggles are inexpensive and the advice is to keep a pair next to each machine or work area where eye protection should be worn.

Face shields protect workers from heat, glare, and flying objects but they are only considered secondary protection and must be worn with either glasses or goggles.

Sunglasses offer important protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays for those who work for prolonged periods outdoors. During the summer months UV levels are at least three times higher than in winter so it is crucial for farmers to protect their eyes. Prolonged and intense exposure to UV light can lead to a greater risk of developing eye diseases such as cataract and macular degenera-tion, an eyesight loss condition which worsens with age.

Sunglasses are rated for their capability to block or absorb UV radiation and eye doctors recommend you check for the CE mark to ensure they meet the European safety standard of 100 percent UV protection.

3. Wear safety eyewear!If you have gone to the effort of buying the recommended protective eye wear, make sure you use them! Get into the habit of wearing them routinely whenever even the slightest possibility of an eye injury exits.

4. Regular eye checksPoor vision and uncorrected eyesight can lead to an injury, and affect workers ability to perform job tasks effectively. Keeping your vision up to par will also help reduce the risk of eye injuries. Regular vision examinations will aid in the early detection of eye disease and help you maintain good and healthy vision.

For more information and tips on eye health, visit the Irish College of Ophthalmologists website www.eyedoctors.ie

in Enniskeane and Lissarda

Forest Owners• We buy all types of conifer log.

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Page 12: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

22 23West Cork Farming West Cork Farming

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All-Ireland final at West Cork Horse Breeders Show won by local breederWEST Cork Horse Breeders held another succesful show at Castlebernard Show Grounds, by kind permission of Bandon Show Society, recently. It was no surprise that the very attractive prize fund brought in the entries and the group is grateful to its very generous sponsors for helping make this event so popular again this year.The Pegus-sponsored All-Ireland Mare and Foal Championship attracted entries from far and near.They came from Wicklow and Wexford and Counties in between. This was a closely contested competition but in the end the local exibitor Rosemarie Deasy got the nod with her French Buffet mare and eye catching Jack of Diamonds colt foal, this mare was bought as a foal from Pat Kelly, Ballinasloe, Co Galway.John Roche from Wexford took second place with his Flagmount King mare and Coroner foal, and the Limerick mare and her Emperor Augustus colt foal came in third for Leo Cahalane.The West Cork Horse Breeders Mare

and Foal Progeny Championship also went to Rosemarie Deasy while the runner up place was taken by Jimmy O’Donovan from Schull for his Abdullah mare and foal by Rockrimmon Silver Diamond. The much-appreciated sponsorship for this championship came from Horse Sport Ireland again this year. WCHB are proud of the good breeding mares with excellent blood lines which are to be found in West Cork and they aim to protect and improve these brood mares for the betterment of the Sport Horse Industry in the region.The many pony classes which were included this year were an interesting addition to the show and proved a great spectator draw, as was the very popular dog show.This event has been running now for some years and is in its second year at the new venue of Bandon Show Grounds. The field has been upgraded in the recent past and boasts a new drainage system, gravel roadways and two fine sheds with kitchen and canteen facilities second to none. The Show Committee was

commended for its foresight in undertaking this work.The next big day for horse breeders’ diaries is the horse sale on October 19th at Ballybrack Equestrian Centre, Glenville.

For more see www.westcorkhorsebreeders.com

Richard Joyce and Charles Dullea showing the winning mare and foal in the Pegus-spon-sored all-Ireland Mare and Foal Championship at the recent West Cork Horse Breeders show in Bandon. also pictured are winning owner Rosemarie Deasy and Patrick McCarthy of the Irish Horse Board.

Funding Irish farmingJohn Fitzerald

THE economic recovery continues to gather pace, with agriculture likely to be one of the best performing sectors in the next few years, with excellent potential for growth. Research has shown that investment in agriculture in Ireland produces a far bigger return than investment in other sectors, because agriculture sources 71% of raw materials and services from Irish suppliers, compared to 44% for manufacturing companies. The value of Irish food and drink exports increased 9% last year, with revenues almost €3 billion higher than in 2009. This improved performance is not finding its way into farmers’ pockets however, with average family farm income less than €26,000 in 2013, down from over €30,000 in 2011. Even this average decrease masks very different experiences between dairy and non-dairy farms. Ultimately, while the price that the farmer receives is important, what is most important is the margin earned and the cost of inputs is just as important a driver of this. Bank of Ireland is optimistic about the future for farm incomes, but commodity prices are expected to fluctuate far more than we have been used to and the management of this volatility will be a key challenge for everyone involved in the agriculture industry.With this in mind, Bank of Ireland launched an AgriFlex range of loans, which offer customers the option of interest only repayment periods during price troughs. This means that farmers can prioritise farm inputs such as feed and fertiliser during periods of low prices and make interest only payments for up to 12 months at a time (with a review after six months).Longer term financial planning will

become all the more important for farmers in the future given this increased volatility. Bank of Ireland is currently finalising a farm business plan template and a farm cash flow planner, which will soon be available to our customers via the agri section of the Bank of Ireland website at www.bankofireland.com/agriThere are plenty of opportunities in farming and we are keen to fund sustainable investment, with a new €1 billion fund to support the ongoing development of the sector to the end of 2017. The abolition of milk quotas in April 2015 presents the single biggest opportunity for farm expansion in many years. While we believe that the 50% increase in milk production targeted under Food Harvest 2020 can be achieved, this will depend on a number of factors, most importantly the prevailing milk price. We estimate that more than €1bn of farm investment will also be required to achieve the increase. Bank of Ireland is providing more than 50% of all new and increased agri-lending, with land acquisition, farm buildings and increased stocking requirements the main drivers of growth. The latest CSO data shows that the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector is performing very well, growing by 5.5% in 2013, and up 11.1% in the first quarter of 2014. To find out more about Bank of Ireland’s support for the agri-sector visit the bank’s stand at the upcoming National Ploughing Championships, visit us online www.bankofireland.com/agri or make an appointment to speak to one of our agri managers.

•John Fitzgerald is agricultural development manager at Bank of Ireland Business Banking

Redeem this offer by 30/09/14 & enter a draw for a his/her

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• ICMSA has represented Cork farmers at local, national and European level for over 60 years with an emphasis on always finding the solutions to their problems.

• ICMSA are the acknowledged experts on analysing milk prices and identifying trends in the Dairy Sector.

• ICMSA remains dedicated to the viability and prosperity of the family farm – we are the Family Farm organisation

Chairman of West Cork ICMSA: Tom Wilson, Enniskeane, 087-6106907Vice Chairman of West Cork ICMSA: D J Keohane, Timoleague, 086-8566473

Secretary of West Cork ICMSA: Eileen Calnan, Clonakilty, 086-2034998 West Cork Members of ICMSA National Council: Joe Burke, Bantry, 086-2705589,

William Collins, Drinagh, 087-9309071, Sean Griffin, Timoleague, 087-2462451,Donal Harte, Lislevane, 087-4106132, John O’Mahony, Bantry, 086-8500952,

Michael P.O’Sullivan, Roscarbery, 086-8577524, Stephen Shorten, Enniskeane, 086-2479436,Tom Wilson, Enniskeane, 087-6106997, John Wycherley, Enniskeane, 086-8231803,

Con Young, Drinagh, 087-7618873

Or contact ICMSA Area Development Officer, Edward O’Sullivan, 087-9980727 or ICMSA Head Office:

John Feely House, Dublin Road, Limerick,at (Tel) 061-314677, (Fax) 061-315737 or [email protected]

Please also look at our website at www.icmsa.ie

Page 13: West Cork Farming Spring Supplement

24 West Cork Farming

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