Tullamore Farm heifers: Tullamore Farm will have its annual draft heifer sale on Wednesday 28 October in Central Auctions Mart Roscrea, Co Tipperary. Fifteen in-calf heifers – 14 of which qualify for SCEP; being four and five stars – are being put forward for sale. All heifers have been bred to high-index, easy-calving Limousin AI sires with expected calving dates available for all, with all heifers themselves being AI bred. The 15 heifers hold an average replacement index of €157, with a carcase sub-index of 23.2kg and a milk sub-index of 7.4kg. Farmers unable to attend on the night are able to view the heifers prior to sale, contact farm manager Shaun Diver on 087-217 5486 to arrange a viewing. Transport can be arranged with the mart.

Bidding is available online via MartBids and prospective new buyers should contact the mart prior to Wednesday to arrange setting up an account. Heifers will pass through the ring at approximately 8pm. Further details including a QR code to the catalogue are available on p38-39.

Weighing of calves: Farmers in either SCEP or the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme (DBWS) must have all weights submitted no later than 5.30pm on 1 November in order to qualify for payment. A weighing scales registered or linked to your herd must be used, and all weights must be submitted within seven days of the weighing being completed. For SCEP, both dams and their calves must be weighed on the same day and calves should be unweaned, with minimum of 80% of eligible pairs required to be weighed to qualify for full payment. Weights for both schemes can be submitted through the ICBF.

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Farmyard manure: The prohibited period for spreading of farmyard manure (FYM) commences on 1 November with the reopening period for spreading commencing in lieu with the open period for slurry spreading in your area. Farmers should also be aware that storage of FYM on fields is prohibited in the closed period, while storing on hard surfaces is not permitted. When spreading FYM, target paddocks or fields with low indices for P and K.

Farm Safety Events: The Irish Farmers Journal, with support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will host two farm safety walks as part of a Health and Wellbeing Series on Tullamore Farm this Thursday and Friday 22 and 23 October.

On both days, we will be giving relevant and practical advice to farmers on handling livestock, safety working at heights, handling of chemicals, operating machinery, electrical safety as well as discussions on minding your mental health. The Tullamore Farm heifers that will be for sale on Wednesday 28 October in Roscrea Mart will also be available for viewing on both days.

Thursday’s event begins at 3pm and runs until 5pm, with Friday’s event kicking off at 1pm and running until 4pm. Entry is free, but online registration is required. Scan the QR code on p49 to register.