So Christmas has come and gone, and as usual I’ve eaten and drank far too much, but I console myself in that everybody else is in the same boat.

Even though I have eaten and drank lots over Christmas, what I have consumed was produced by Irish pig, poultry, beef and dairy farmers, as well as Irish tillage farmers (for malting barley) and Irish vegetable growers. Don’t worry sheep farmers, I’ve a nice leg of lamb lined up for the middle of January.

Purchasing Irish produce is important and not just at Christmas. Not only is it supporting the local economy, but also provides nutritious and wholesome local Irish food for the Christmas table.

On the agricultural presents side of things and following on from the Wedge Wellingtons which I got for my girlfriend last year, I purchased a Moocall for my father this year. From reading reports on this product, it appears to be very successful. More updates to follow when the cows start to calve.

New year

As we approach 2017, I truly hope that processors and retailers have made their new year resolutions and that these include providing a fair price for farmers. Talk is cheap and one thing which we must not see is retailers using agricultural produce as loss leaders.

But they will. How long will it be until we see protests in supermarkets or outside processing plants? Low prices coupled with farmer protests are beginning to be as normal as trade union work stoppages or England being eliminated from major football championships in a cloud of embarrassment and controversy.

Home farm

Things are ticking over nicely on the home farm. Some days I wonder whether it is the middle of the summer or the end of December as I am that busy. Although it could be that the days are short and I’m not up as early in the morning.

Bales are being fed at the moment and are good quality. I haven’t tested the bales, but once the pit is opened in mid-January, I will get it analysed. I have a feeling it won’t beat last year’s 75DMD, but we shall see.

Finally, I plead with consumers, retailers and processors to nurture a new, young and enthusiastic generation of farmers by purchasing local Irish produce and by paying a fair and reasonable price for this quality food. Fair and reasonable is all we are looking for.

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