Executive council

IFA executive council holds its final meeting of 2014 this week. High on the agenda at the meeting are farm income figures and the new Agri-Strategy 2025. Council will also be updated on the National Reserve, young farmer top-up and charter of rights negotiations.

SPAs

IFA met with Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphries this week to press for the reinstatement of the forest management protocol for hen harrier SPAs. The IFA delegation pointed out that limited new forests, carefully established and managed, would improve hen harrier status in SPAs.

Sheep payment

IFA National Sheep Committee chairman John Lynskey has welcomed the announcement on the payout of the 2014 Sheep Grassland Scheme. The 2014 payment has increased from €13m in 2013 to €15m in 2014 – an increase of €1m from unused funds and an additional payment of €1m through a saving on modulation.

IFA live crib

Don’t forget, the IFA live crib is open at the Mansion House until Christmas Eve. Admission is free, but all donations go towards the Mansion House fuel fund, which supports St Vincent de Paul and the Simon Community, among other charities.

New ifarm

IFA has launched an updated version of its ifarm app. The new-look app gives you quick and easy access to price information, weather updates, online calculators and other tools at the touch of a button. To get the free app now, text iFarm to 51000.