Spruce beetle

IFA farm forestry chair Vincent Nally said that he is concerned following the finding of eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) in the south of England in late 2018.

He said the finding of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle represents a high risk to Ireland where Sitka spruce has been planted widely and comprises 52% of the national forest estate.

He called on forest owners and the public to be extra vigilant for unusual ill-health in trees and report concerns to forestprotection@ agriculture.gov.ie or by using the Tree Check app at https://www.treecheck.net/.

CAP/ANC meetings

The IFA is continuing its open farmer meetings around the country.

Next week’s meetings will take place on 15 January in the Brandon House Hotel, New Ross, and on 17 January in the Castle Hotel, Macroom.

Both meetings will commence at 8pm. IFA president Joe Healy and senior officers will be in attendance on the night.

The purpose of these meetings is to update farmers on the IFA’s campaign to protect farmers’ direct payments and to appraise farmers of the key dates in 2019 that they need to be aware of.

Shannon dredging

IFA floods project chair Padraic Joyce and IFA representatives recently met with Minister of State for OPW and Flood Relief Kevin Boxer Moran in Tullamore to discuss the need to accelerate maintainance works on the Shannon with the removal of restrictions to the water flow on the river such as silt and foliage.

Aurivo price

IFA national dairy chair Tom Phelan said the decision by Aurivo, uniquely among co-ops, to cut their milk price for a second month running was a real letdown for their suppliers, at a time when markets and the outlook for 2019 justifies price stability.

Phelan said this decision was a major blow, particularly in what has been a very difficult year for farmers.

It is crucial that Aurivo outlines to farmers what its plans are to return the optimum milk prices in 2019.