Cattle price signals

Moves to cut cattle prices are sending the wrong signals and damaging confidence at farm level, livestock chair Angus Woods has said. He pointed out that prices in the UK have remained very strong, and prices are 20c/kg to 30c/kg above 2017 levels in all the main EU markets. Farmers feeding cattle in sheds since autumn have run up considerable costs and the factories need to send a positive signal on price.

Broadleaf planting

The Forest Service decision to increase the compulsory broadleaf area from 10% to 15% is the wrong approach, forestry chair Pat Collins has said. The solution to Ireland meeting its broadleaf target is not to reduce the commerciality of the afforestation scheme but to encourage more farmers to plant broadleaf forest by increasing the premium rate, the duration of premiums or introducing a payment for additional environmental services related to broadleaves.

IFA support

If you’re having difficulties with your payments, you can contact the IFA payments support team who will offer advice and support, or progress your issue with the Department of Agriculture if required. Contact 1890-924 853 or payments@ifa.ie. The IFA also operates a confidential line to offer support to farmers experiencing financial difficulties – contact 1890 924 853 in confidence.

Renewables

At an Oireachtas committee on climate change and the environment this week, IFA president Joe Healy said getting the support scheme for renewable heat fully operational as soon as possible must be a priority and he called for the funding of a climate activation programme, focused on biomass development, expansion of agri-environment schemes and community-based renewable projects.