Tier 2 approvals

After a long wait, the first applicants to Tier 2 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme, for rates of grant up to £250,000, should receive the green light in the coming weeks.

On enquiry, a DAERA spokesperson confirmed that selection panels to assess applications are under way and will continue over the coming weeks.

“The Department expects to start issuing letters of offer to successful applicants to Tier 2 later this month,” said the spokesperson.

The first tranche of Tier 2 closed on 10 March 2017, and by that stage a total of 189 applications had been received.

NI mart demos this November

The Irish Farmers Journal, along with CAFRE and ABP, have organised a series of mart demos next month, featuring participants in the BETTER Farm Beef Challenge NI.

Starting at 7.30pm each evening, the events are scheduled for Ballymena Mart on Thursday 9 November, Markethill Mart on Monday 13 November and Omagh Mart on Thursday 16 November.

Topic covered will include feeding options this winter, managing dry cows, targets for finishing cattle and keeping control of animal health.

The demos are free to attend, and a qualifying event for suckler producers and beef finishers taking part in CAFRE business development groups.

New slaughter plant in NI

Rumours persist that the site of the former Langford Processors based outside Crumlin, Co Antrim, is to be resurrected as a slaughter plant for prime cattle.

It is understood that two companies are involved, both of whom are currently reliant on buying carcase beef from the Republic of Ireland and boning it out in NI. The driving factor is thought to be concerns about availability of supply post-Brexit, especially if there are tariffs to be paid on beef imported into NI once the UK leaves the EU.

It follows on from a similar move by Hewitt Meats in Loughgall, which acquired the former Oakdale abattoir in Lurgan, re-naming it as Primestock Meats. It is now slaughtering up to 500 cattle per week.

Langford Processors was previously run by John McAlister and Tom Robinson, and was the site used to slaughter pre-1996 born cows under the old cow disposal scheme. The company dissolved in 2012, with a new facility (Lakeview Meats) set up on the opposite side of the road.

Advance payments in bank accounts

The first advance CAP payments that were issued by DAERA on Monday will arrive in farmers’ bank accounts from today (Thursday).

Payments worth 70% of claims are being issued for fully verified applications. The final advanced payments will be made on 31 October and will arrive in bank accounts by 10 November.

After this, balance payments for farmers who received an advance, and full payments for farmers who did not, will be made from 1 December. Payment letters are being issued by the department this week and payment statements can also be viewed online by logging into DAERA online services.