Teagasc economists presenting their annual review and outlook this week were somewhat surprised that the estimated drop in 2018 average dairy farm incomes came to 22%, while there were fears in the midst of the summer drought that it could be cut by half.
Meanwhile, drystock farmers appear to have taken a more severe hit than expected.
“Do we have the full story on feed?” wondered Trevor Donnellan.
Teagasc estimates feed usage – this year’s key burden on livestock farmers – based on official sale figures for dairy, beef and sheep ration reported to the Department of Agriculture.
There could have been some confusion during the summer’s great scramble for feed.
“There is speculation that if dairy feed was scarce, farmers may have told their merchant that beef feed will do,” Donnellan said.
This extra cost would then have been attributed to the beef sector, while it really hit dairy farms. Only the national farm survey to be conducted in the first half of next year can solve the mystery.
Better ways to encourage finger waving
The Dealer was in Elphin at the weekend keeping an eye out for a cheap bull at the annual Charolais Christmas cracker sale. The sale has built up a name of having the best quality bulls in the country and didn’t disappoint with some excellent bulls forward for sale. But The Dealer wondered if it was appropriate for the new beef plan movement to speak from the rostrum for 10 minutes to a packed ringside just before Tom Cox opened the sale about the state the beef industry was in and how farmers were losing money. As a confidence booster to wave the finger one more time, I could think of better ways of encouragement.
Meanwhile, I was interested to hear that the Charolais and Simmental societies boycotted the ICBF genetics conference on Wednesday.
Vintage tractors to light up Enniscorthy
Vintage enthusiasts believe every tractor run should have the spotlight shone on it, but this Saturday, the light will be coming from the tractors in Enniscorthy.
Oylegate Vintage Club are holding a night- time “Light Up the Road” run, with the tractors, mostly produced without roadlights, seasonally decked out in festive lighting. It promises to be a spectacular sight, with tractors leaving the village at 6.30pm for Enniscorthy.
It’s in a good cause too, with Pieta House, who themselves shine a much-needed light on suicide prevention.
Contact Henry (087-970 4056), Willie (087-265 8945), or Dave (086-833 0861).
Karen Hayden, Damien Finn, Henry Cosgrave, David Parker and Willie Hayden preparing for the Oylegate Vintage Club Light Up the Night Run in aid of Pieta House.
Connolly staying in agtech
Aidan Connolly.
I see Aidan Connolly, formerly Alltech’s chief innovation officer, has announced he is making a rapid return to the agtech world as president of AgriTech Capital.
Before departing Alltech, Connolly led the company’s drive to be the centre of a galaxy of agtech startups. With AgriTech capital he will now, in his own words, lead the “growth of companies planning to disrupt or transform traditional industries”.
AgriTech is certainly a new one to me in the growing agtech scene. They are a capital investment fund so I’m plotting a new range of Dealer inspired inventions that they will hopefully fund.
Coolmore keeping God on track
I see Coolmore Stud is anxious to keep God and the locals on side following its purchase of a farm in Tipperary.
Bengurragh House on 110ac was knocked down to an unidentified bidder for €2.83m, or over €25,700/ac, in September.
The buyer was soon identified as Coolmore and locals raised concerns about ownership and access to the holy well called Tobar Íosa (Jesus’ Well) on the Cahir farm.
Local councillor Andy Moloney has been assured by Coolmore that while ownership remains with the farm, Coolmore will work on the preservation of the well with local groups and help where it can to enhance the area.
There was some shock at the ICMSA AGM last Friday when European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said: “I may not be here again as commissioner for agriculture.
“I’m in the final year of my term now, so of course I respect the decision-making process and it’s a matter for the Taoiseach to decide who is going to be the commissioner, but of course nobody knows the future,” he added with a twinkle in his eye.
When it comes to seeing an inspector drive into a yard, most farmers feel the need to duck behind the nearest shed.
However, the European Commissioner of Agriculture and ardent Kilkenny man Phil Hogan told farmers at the ICMSA AGM that: “My late mother used to give them tea and brown bread and it seems to have worked very well.”
If he has the recipe for that brown bread he might like to pass it on to yours truly?
Teagasc economists presenting their annual review and outlook this week were somewhat surprised that the estimated drop in 2018 average dairy farm incomes came to 22%, while there were fears in the midst of the summer drought that it could be cut by half.
Meanwhile, drystock farmers appear to have taken a more severe hit than expected.
“Do we have the full story on feed?” wondered Trevor Donnellan.
Teagasc estimates feed usage – this year’s key burden on livestock farmers – based on official sale figures for dairy, beef and sheep ration reported to the Department of Agriculture.
There could have been some confusion during the summer’s great scramble for feed.
“There is speculation that if dairy feed was scarce, farmers may have told their merchant that beef feed will do,” Donnellan said.
This extra cost would then have been attributed to the beef sector, while it really hit dairy farms. Only the national farm survey to be conducted in the first half of next year can solve the mystery.
Better ways to encourage finger waving
The Dealer was in Elphin at the weekend keeping an eye out for a cheap bull at the annual Charolais Christmas cracker sale. The sale has built up a name of having the best quality bulls in the country and didn’t disappoint with some excellent bulls forward for sale. But The Dealer wondered if it was appropriate for the new beef plan movement to speak from the rostrum for 10 minutes to a packed ringside just before Tom Cox opened the sale about the state the beef industry was in and how farmers were losing money. As a confidence booster to wave the finger one more time, I could think of better ways of encouragement.
Meanwhile, I was interested to hear that the Charolais and Simmental societies boycotted the ICBF genetics conference on Wednesday.
Vintage tractors to light up Enniscorthy
Vintage enthusiasts believe every tractor run should have the spotlight shone on it, but this Saturday, the light will be coming from the tractors in Enniscorthy.
Oylegate Vintage Club are holding a night- time “Light Up the Road” run, with the tractors, mostly produced without roadlights, seasonally decked out in festive lighting. It promises to be a spectacular sight, with tractors leaving the village at 6.30pm for Enniscorthy.
It’s in a good cause too, with Pieta House, who themselves shine a much-needed light on suicide prevention.
Contact Henry (087-970 4056), Willie (087-265 8945), or Dave (086-833 0861).
Karen Hayden, Damien Finn, Henry Cosgrave, David Parker and Willie Hayden preparing for the Oylegate Vintage Club Light Up the Night Run in aid of Pieta House.
Connolly staying in agtech
Aidan Connolly.
I see Aidan Connolly, formerly Alltech’s chief innovation officer, has announced he is making a rapid return to the agtech world as president of AgriTech Capital.
Before departing Alltech, Connolly led the company’s drive to be the centre of a galaxy of agtech startups. With AgriTech capital he will now, in his own words, lead the “growth of companies planning to disrupt or transform traditional industries”.
AgriTech is certainly a new one to me in the growing agtech scene. They are a capital investment fund so I’m plotting a new range of Dealer inspired inventions that they will hopefully fund.
Coolmore keeping God on track
I see Coolmore Stud is anxious to keep God and the locals on side following its purchase of a farm in Tipperary.
Bengurragh House on 110ac was knocked down to an unidentified bidder for €2.83m, or over €25,700/ac, in September.
The buyer was soon identified as Coolmore and locals raised concerns about ownership and access to the holy well called Tobar Íosa (Jesus’ Well) on the Cahir farm.
Local councillor Andy Moloney has been assured by Coolmore that while ownership remains with the farm, Coolmore will work on the preservation of the well with local groups and help where it can to enhance the area.
There was some shock at the ICMSA AGM last Friday when European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said: “I may not be here again as commissioner for agriculture.
“I’m in the final year of my term now, so of course I respect the decision-making process and it’s a matter for the Taoiseach to decide who is going to be the commissioner, but of course nobody knows the future,” he added with a twinkle in his eye.
When it comes to seeing an inspector drive into a yard, most farmers feel the need to duck behind the nearest shed.
However, the European Commissioner of Agriculture and ardent Kilkenny man Phil Hogan told farmers at the ICMSA AGM that: “My late mother used to give them tea and brown bread and it seems to have worked very well.”
If he has the recipe for that brown bread he might like to pass it on to yours truly?
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