SHARING OPTIONS:
Episode four of theTullamore Farm webinar series takes place on Tuesday at 8.30pm live on www.ifj.ie/webinar.
The final episode in the Tullamore Farm webinar series takes place on Tuesday night at 8.30pm.
Tuesday's programme will focus on the 2020 financial performance and the next steps for the farm.
This is currently the fifth year of a 15-year lease taken out on the farm.
Unique
The farm is quite unique in that it has no single farm payment, while also having to pay a full land charge and full labour charge.
The farm is also paying back over €20,000 annually in interest on borrowed money.
SHARING OPTIONS:
Reports indicate that grass supplies are very variable on sheep farms at present.
Some farmers who had a good grass surplus or who are lambing later and are building demand slower are still in a relatively good position, while others find themselves in a trickier position.
For the latter group, a significant increase in grass growth may get many out of trouble and back on track quickly. For others, careful management will be required to steer a course back on track.
While the change away from harsh northeasterly winds is providing kinder conditions, temperatures are forecast to remain relatively low. This means all farmers will need to keep a good eye on grass supplies over the coming week.
SHARING OPTIONS:
Hoggets earmarked for sale in 2021 should be critically assessed with the question asked if trading now or retaining them to autumn breeding sales is the most economical choice.
Record hogget prices: Hogget prices of €170 to €180, or even higher, have increased to a level that even the most optimistic market forecasters could not have dreamed of.
There is little excuse for plainer-type hoggets earmarked for selling in 2021 that are not ideally suitable for breeding to miss the boat while prices are strong.
Granted, many systems are set-up to carry ewe hoggets to fulfill stocking rate requirements or utilise available grass, but this should not prevent hoggets being critically assessed.