SHARING OPTIONS:
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin alongside Charlie McConalogue at last year s IFA AGM.\ Finbarr O Rourke
It’s one year ago this week since Micheál Martin arrived into the Irish Farm Centre ahead of the general election at the IFA AGM, but has he made good on his promises to farmers?
At last year’s AGM, he committed to a €15/ewe payment under the Sheep Welfare Scheme, a €5 increase.
This commitment hasn’t been followed through on, to date, and last week Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue announced that the scheme would be extended for 2021, but there was no mention of an increase in the payment rate per ewe.
Have you listened to the Teagasc Beef Edge Podcast?
The Beef Edge podcast is celebrating its 1st Anniversary. In the last year over 25,000 farmers have tuned in to hear timely technical information and the latest research and advice from Teagasc and industry stakeholders. Presented by Teagasc Beef Specialist Catherine Egan, the Beef Edge podcast covers the latest news, information and advice to improve your beef farm performance.
Over the past year there have been regular updates in relation to grassland management, making quality silage and efficient fertiliser use. Key breeding tips, using AI and heat synchronisation options have also been discussed on previous podcast episodes, as well as animal health topics such as parasite control at the appropriate times. With the launch of a number of beef schemes in 2020 such as Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme suckler (BEEP-S) and the Beef Finishers Programme (BFP) Catherine asked the key questions to find out the requirements and