Walks scheme

IFA hill chair Flor McCarthy has welcomed the commitment by Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring to extend the number of walks covered by the Walks Scheme. He said 2,000 farmers benefit from the scheme worth nearly €2m and it is a significant boost to farm income for those farmers participating. McCarthy also welcomed the commitment given by the minister to address insurance issues to protect all landowners.

Suckler support

As the IFA and Irish Farmers Journal suckler meetings continue around the country, livestock chair Angus Woods has insisted that the resources are there for the Government to provide a €200 payment per suckler cow. He has rejected the spurious argument that the suckler support will cost other farmers, saying the IFA is very clear in its demand for new money from the Government for this support.

Vulture funds

IFA farm business chair Martin Stapleton has reiterated the IFA’s call on Government that funds which purchase loans must be regulated. He said the Government must ensure that robust regulation is put in place and that this applies to funds which have already bought loans. In the interim, no sale of loans should go ahead until regulations are put in place. The IFA operates a confidential service for those with debt difficulties – call 1890 924 853.

Smart Farming

As the Smart Farming team gears up to begin cost-saving studies on 50 farms nationwide, those who participated in last year’s programme are busy sharing their outcomes with neighbours and fellow farmers. Those who participated in the Smart Farming Programme identified cost savings of €8,700 on average and ways to reduce greenhouse gasses by 10%.