On Monday 23 November, Carrigaline Macra na Feirme organised an agricultural seminar – developing your business for the future. Welcomed by club chair Zoe Coughlan, the 500-plus people in attendance were treated to an excellent lineup of speakers. An agri-hub set up around the function room allowed businesses an opportunity to meet customers.

The event was chaired by club member and CEJA president Alan Jagoe. Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney confirmed that young trained farmers would get a 40% topup in the dairy support scheme. The Department took the view that many of these had taken on debit to improve or expand their businesses, as well as having start-up costs.

Young farmers in partnerships “left in the cold”

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The Minister also dealt with questions from the floor. One of these concerned some 250 young farmers who went into milk production partnerships and were not recognised in previous Common Agricultural Policies (CAPs) and still have not been recognised by the current CAP.

People said that “these young farmers are still left in the cold”, and asked what can be done for them.

The minister said he has sympathy for their plight, but the legal definition of a young farmer means they don’t qualify for young farmer schemes. So, essentially, those who took responsible decisions are now disadvantaged, was the view from the floor.

An old-young farmer category was created, the minister said, but those in milk production partnerships are still not catered for in the new CAP. EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan is having the issue looked into. Minister Coveney reiterated that money is not the issue, but legality is.

Alarms and risk assessments to prevent crime

Sergeant Ian O’Callaghan, crime prevention officer for west Cork, gave a run-down on the new IFA and Garda collaboration, Theft Stop. Sergeant O’Callaghan has 20 years’ experience in dealing with crime and advised those present to invest in an intruder alarm and do a risk assessment on their property.

Power tools and trailers tended to be the main items stolen from farms. Many of the trailers stolen were those parked away from yards and this could be prevented.

Tadhg Buckley of AIB told those present to “farm to please yourself; don’t do it for others”. He went on to add that this made for more successful long-term planning.

Dairygold milk supply up 70% in November

CEO of Dairygold Jim Woulfe told the audience that while there were difficulties, they were appreciative of the farmers who worked with them in predicting their expected milk production rise. This allowed the co-op to plan and build facilities accordingly. With milk supply in November up 70% on last year, he said it showed farmers were more free to farm without superlevy and quota restrictions.

Bord Bia’s Joe Burke also gave an outlook on the current and prospective beef situation. Cull cows numbers are back 11% – again showing the effect of a milk-quota free environment.