The farming industry in Northern Ireland got the attention of the wider media this week, but it was not the sort of story that presents local farmers in a positive light.

The story centred on a Ballynahinch farm where 75 cattle had to be humanely destroyed because they were suffering from emaciation, starvation, illness and immobility.

The two farmers involved, Stanley Porter Senior and his son Stanley Porter Junior, were convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to bovine animals, failing to produce medicine records and failure to prevent other animals gaining access to dead stock. They got four months in prison, a fine of £1,250 each plus costs and were banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

These types of animal cruelty cases always stir the emotion of the general public, hence the wider media interest. The Department did not miss the opportunity to get on the television and send the message that it will not tolerate ill treatment of farm animals.

However, there is a fine balance between sending out the message that regulators will not accept people breaking the law, and giving the impression that there is a problem with animal welfare on NI farms.

We are living in changed times since horsegate and our major customers for beef are very sensitive to a bad news story.

Any suggestion that poor animal welfare is a widespread issue would be grossly unfair on the majority of livestock farmers in NI who care properly for their animals. Keeping cattle that are not healthy or thriving is utterly pointless.

Over the years, where there have been cases of animal neglect brought to the attention of DARD, there usually are other underlying issues, often related to physical and mental health. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible to understand why anyone would neglect one of their most valuable assets.

Guidance published for regional reserve

A guidance document is available on the DARD website (www.dardni.gov.uk) for young farmers and new entrants who hope to apply to the regional reserve. Successful applicants go straight to the NI average entitlement value of approximately €329/ha.

The document is also available in hard copy from DARD direct offices. Those who apply to the reserve will have to complete an application form and provide supporting evidence in person to a DARD Direct office. They must also complete a single application form.

Where a young farmer is applying for the young farmer top-up and an award from the regional reserve, the supporting evidence does not need to be provided twice.

The regional reserve will be open annually for applications. It is funded by taking 3% off all payments. If there is high demand, more money will be removed from all payments to meet the need.

Co-op merger talks ongoing

The chief executives of Town of Monaghan and Ballyrashane Co-ops have released a joint statement outlining that they have made good progress in possible merger talks, but insisting that there is still a long way to go.

“It is important to emphasise that while good progress has been made to date, we are a long way from concluding the process which will be subject to approval by our respective shareholders,’’ the statement read.

The boards of both co-ops announced their intention to enter into exploratory merger talks last month.

Farming campaign group Farmers For Action (FFA) have put forward an alternative view as to why farmers should support the £45m move of DARD headquarters from Dundonald House in Belfast to Ballykelly in the northwest.

The group maintains that many of the top brass within the Department will not venture out of Belfast, and instead retire from the civil service or look for a move to another government department.

According to FFA, this creates an opportunity for the DARD Minister to oversee a process that will employ people at the top of DARD who are ‘‘dynamic, efficient and have the interest of NI agriculture at their core’’.

In a statement, the group said: “FFA is disappointed at the millions having to be spent, but the status quo is costing NI farmers needless millions in over-bureaucracy, foot dragging, extreme enforcement and red tape creation. In light of this, Ballykelly is hopefully a price worth paying.”

Open farm weekend brochure

An information brochure has been produced by organisers of the Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend for farmers interested in taking part in the event.

Now in its fourth year, the event attracted close to 20,000 members of the public in 2014, visiting 23 farms across Northern Ireland.

This year, it will take place on 13 and 14 June. The organisers are keen to increase the number of participating farmers.

The aim is to help increase the general public’s understanding of food production.

The information brochure can be found online at www.openfarmweekend.com.

Rural crime and safety event

Drumhilla Farm, 13 Crossnamuckley Road, Newtownards, owned by the Corrie family, is set to host a rural crime and farm safety event next Saturday 7 March from 10am until 3pm.

There will be a demonstration from the Fire Service and Ambulance Service of a tractor/vehicle collision and a large animal rescue. There will also be an opportunity to have trailers marked for free.

PSNI firearms officers will provide advice on preventing gun theft, Department of Environment officials will advise on pollution and wildlife issues, and there will also be general advice on health and wellbeing for rural dwellers.