The Big Dealer: factories monitoring cattle diet

The Dealer can be guilty of not reading the small print at times but noticed a new box on the ABP form recently, asking farmers to please tick if “…cattle have been grazed outdoors for a greater part of the year”.

With all the talk of a Bord Bia grass-fed standard and potential PGI for Irish beef, does Mr Goodman have his eye on a new prize already?

Something tells me he’s not asking just to make sure my bullocks are getting enough fresh air and exercise.

I see IFA president Tim Cullinan is delivering his campaign promise to get back to the grassroots of the IFA and hold more meetings on the ground.

He did just that over the last week, meeting farmers on the ground in the west, in particular.

Last week he sat down with farmers from designated land on the Shannon Callows and on Monday he made his way to Maam Cross and then on to Derrada, near Newport in Co Mayo.

No one can say he’s not a man of his word.

The Dealer was dropping off cattle in the factory last week when he saw an acquaintance of his pull up in his old jeep, which is held together with baler twine and prayers. He was surprised because the farmer has just bought a shiny new jeep.

It transpired that the farmer was afraid he’d lose bargaining power with the factory agent if he was seen driving around in a new 4x4.

“Can’t let Larry Goodman think we’re doing too well,” the farmer winked.

Aldi has revealed its cost and retail pricing for its Irish beef range to Grant Thornton as part of the auditor’s review of market and consumer requirements in the beef sector, The Dealer has learned.

Review

A letter seen by The Dealer reads that Aldi was requested to provide “sensitive cost and retail pricing information across its entire fresh Irish beef range on a confidential basis” to assist with the review.

I understand that chair of the Beef Taskforce, Michael Dowling, has been told that Aldi has provided the information.

The Dealer is now looking forward to reading the review when it comes out.

Cows are being used in the Nigerian state of Zamfara to persuade motorcycle-riding forest bandits to give up their life of crime.

As part of a government initiative, gang members are being given two cows for every AK47 they surrender to the authorities. It is hoped the cows will give them the ammunition they need to plough a new furrow.

According to the BBC, cows are valued as a high commodity by Fulhani herdsmen who are understood to make up large numbers of the bandits.

I couldn’t believe my ears this week, as a debate on crowbangers kicked off on Liveline. Used to keep crows away from crops at this time of year, they are a necessity for many a tillage farmer.

A caller rang in, describing them as being as loud as “military cannons” and calling for them to be banned.

Farmers then rang in and rounded on the caller, with one telling him to pack up and head back to the city. Another caller referred to “tax-dodging farmers” and the debate ended on less than amicable terms.

I hear Tipperary’s Tom Kelly’s position in Teagasc is coming up for grabs internally.

Tom is retiring from the director of knowledge transfer role. He is essentially the boss of the advisory side of the Teagasc establishment.

The role sits alongside the director of research role, which is occupied by another Tipperary native, Frank O’Mara.

Tom didn’t always see eye to eye with some of my musings but I know, between rugby and farming, he will be fully occupied in retirement and I wish him the best.

In the running for the role I’d expect would be some of the area managers down that neck of the woods.

I’d also expect some of the advisory sector heads might be looking for a step up. I’ll keep you posted.