DAERA launches cattle movement phone service
DAERA has updated its cattle registration telephone service to allow cattle purchased at a mart to be confirmed into the buyer’s herd.
Before this, confirmation of cattle movements into a herd could only be done through applying a sticker identifier to a paper MC2B document, or using APHIS online. Similar to APHIS online, the telephone service allows animals to be confirmed into the herd immediately.
The service is operated by DAERA staff and is available on 0300-2007855, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
GDT auction moves up 2.2%
There was a positive outcome at this week’s GDT auction, with the index price rising 2.2% to US $2,819/t.
It was the first positive result in eight auctions and while the outcome will be welcomed, dairy analysts are still highlighting that the index price remains on par with that of autumn 2016, when milk prices were typically 22p-24p/l.
Butter prices rose 2.7%, while skim milk powder increased by 0.3%. Whole milk powder rose by 2.5%, but cheddar prices fell by 2.2%.
At Wednesday’s Dutch Dairy Board Auction, whole milk powder strengthened by €20/t, with skim prices rising €20/t to €1,660. Butter fell €20/t to €4,160.
Meanwhile, the average farmgate milk price paid to UK dairy farmers in October was 31.52p/l, putting it 4p/l ahead of the five-year rolling average UK milk price of 27.46p/l.
Dale Farm wins sustainable awards
Local dairy company Dale Farm has won in two categories at the 2018 Sustainable Ireland awards.
The company was awarded Best Use of Renewable Energy Sources in recognition of its Dunmanbridge production plant, which is now powered by a 5Mw, 25-acre solar farm.
In addition, Dale Farm group projects engineer Gary McNeill was named Energy Manager of the Year for his work in converting current operations over to sustainable and renewable sources. Looking ahead, the Dunmanbridge site is also scheduled to convert from heavy fuel oil for running boilers, to natural gas during 2019 – a move which could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4,500t.
The co-op also said it will focus on rationalising farm and secondary haulage transport, with the objective to reduce weekly mileage by 9,000 miles, which could yield an annual reduction of 800t of carbon dioxide.
Top names take QUB ambassador roles
A number of key figures, past and present, from the agri food industry have taken on ambassador roles for the Institute of Global Food Security (IGFS) at Queen’s University Belfast.
The new group will be chaired by ex-Dunbia deputy chief and former Moy Park director, Tony O’Neill, and includes the executive chair of Devenish, Owen Brennan; former Moy Park chief executive Janet McCollum; former Moy Park director Eric Reid, and former Dale Farm chief executive David Dobbin.
According to Tony O’Neill, one of the main aims of the group will be to promote a safe and robust food industry for NI, underpinned by a robust, scientific evidence-base from IGFS.
Angus bulls sell to 3,300gns at Dungannon
Tuesday’s sale of Aberdeen Angus bulls at Dungannon mart reached a top price of 3,300gns for an April 2017-born animal bred by Adrian Parke, Strabane.
Coolermoney Samson was sired by Cloghogmill Eric and out of a cow sired by The Moss Black Lord. Samson was purchased by Kevin Moore, Liverpool, for his famous pedigree herd that operates under the ‘The Moss’ prefix.
Second highest price of 3,200gns went to Robin Lamb, Richhill. His April 2017-born bull, Richhill Black Bungle, was sired by Lockerley Legolas and out of the homebred cow Richhill Black Mist, sired by Netherton Archie.
Supreme champion was awarded to Ian Colville, Crawfordsburn, with his December 2016-born, GlenCowie Jack, which later sold for 3,000gns.
NIIAS Winter Fair breakfast
The NI Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) is hosting a breakfast event at AFBI Hillsborough before the RUAS Winter Fair on 13 December 2018.
Guest speaker at the event is Irish Farmers Journal agribusiness editor Eoin Lowry. He will speak about the current performance of the agri food industry and the outlook for 2019.
Breakfast will be served from 7.30am. The event costs £10 for members, £15 for non-members and £7.50 for students.
Places should be booked in advance before Monday 10 December by contacting NIIAS chair Francis Lively at chairman@niias.co.uk or 079-36648495.
Online registration is also available by searching ‘NIIAS breakfast’ on www.eventbrite.co.uk
DAERA consults on Brexit changes
Two public consultations are currently ongoing in DAERA over proposed changes to NI domestic legislation ahead of the UK leaving the European Union.
The proposals mainly relate to new NI legislation required as part of the UK government’s EU Withdrawal Act, as well as updates to EU references in existing legislation.
The regulations have been drafted on the basis of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
“This is to allow readiness for all eventualities and is not an indication of whether the UK will exit the EU under a deal or no-deal scenario,” the consultation letter reads.
A department spokesperson said that all proposed regulations can be finalised without a minister in post at DAERA.
Protect your water supply this winter
NI Water, along with the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), has urged farmers to protect their water supply this winter, by ensuring pipes are insulated against frost.
As part of routine maintenance, NI Water also advises farmers to:
Check meters on a regular basis. Consider mapping the line of the pipework around the farm.Install a number of stop valves to isolate water supply to disused areas. Check for and repair any leakage promptly.Inspect remote troughs which may not be used at this time of year.Ensure all underground pipes are buried 750mm below ground. Read more
Champion tops Tuam Limousin sale at €5,000
Charolais average at Christmas Cracker tops autumn bull sales
DAERA launches cattle movement phone service
DAERA has updated its cattle registration telephone service to allow cattle purchased at a mart to be confirmed into the buyer’s herd.
Before this, confirmation of cattle movements into a herd could only be done through applying a sticker identifier to a paper MC2B document, or using APHIS online. Similar to APHIS online, the telephone service allows animals to be confirmed into the herd immediately.
The service is operated by DAERA staff and is available on 0300-2007855, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
GDT auction moves up 2.2%
There was a positive outcome at this week’s GDT auction, with the index price rising 2.2% to US $2,819/t.
It was the first positive result in eight auctions and while the outcome will be welcomed, dairy analysts are still highlighting that the index price remains on par with that of autumn 2016, when milk prices were typically 22p-24p/l.
Butter prices rose 2.7%, while skim milk powder increased by 0.3%. Whole milk powder rose by 2.5%, but cheddar prices fell by 2.2%.
At Wednesday’s Dutch Dairy Board Auction, whole milk powder strengthened by €20/t, with skim prices rising €20/t to €1,660. Butter fell €20/t to €4,160.
Meanwhile, the average farmgate milk price paid to UK dairy farmers in October was 31.52p/l, putting it 4p/l ahead of the five-year rolling average UK milk price of 27.46p/l.
Dale Farm wins sustainable awards
Local dairy company Dale Farm has won in two categories at the 2018 Sustainable Ireland awards.
The company was awarded Best Use of Renewable Energy Sources in recognition of its Dunmanbridge production plant, which is now powered by a 5Mw, 25-acre solar farm.
In addition, Dale Farm group projects engineer Gary McNeill was named Energy Manager of the Year for his work in converting current operations over to sustainable and renewable sources. Looking ahead, the Dunmanbridge site is also scheduled to convert from heavy fuel oil for running boilers, to natural gas during 2019 – a move which could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4,500t.
The co-op also said it will focus on rationalising farm and secondary haulage transport, with the objective to reduce weekly mileage by 9,000 miles, which could yield an annual reduction of 800t of carbon dioxide.
Top names take QUB ambassador roles
A number of key figures, past and present, from the agri food industry have taken on ambassador roles for the Institute of Global Food Security (IGFS) at Queen’s University Belfast.
The new group will be chaired by ex-Dunbia deputy chief and former Moy Park director, Tony O’Neill, and includes the executive chair of Devenish, Owen Brennan; former Moy Park chief executive Janet McCollum; former Moy Park director Eric Reid, and former Dale Farm chief executive David Dobbin.
According to Tony O’Neill, one of the main aims of the group will be to promote a safe and robust food industry for NI, underpinned by a robust, scientific evidence-base from IGFS.
Angus bulls sell to 3,300gns at Dungannon
Tuesday’s sale of Aberdeen Angus bulls at Dungannon mart reached a top price of 3,300gns for an April 2017-born animal bred by Adrian Parke, Strabane.
Coolermoney Samson was sired by Cloghogmill Eric and out of a cow sired by The Moss Black Lord. Samson was purchased by Kevin Moore, Liverpool, for his famous pedigree herd that operates under the ‘The Moss’ prefix.
Second highest price of 3,200gns went to Robin Lamb, Richhill. His April 2017-born bull, Richhill Black Bungle, was sired by Lockerley Legolas and out of the homebred cow Richhill Black Mist, sired by Netherton Archie.
Supreme champion was awarded to Ian Colville, Crawfordsburn, with his December 2016-born, GlenCowie Jack, which later sold for 3,000gns.
NIIAS Winter Fair breakfast
The NI Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) is hosting a breakfast event at AFBI Hillsborough before the RUAS Winter Fair on 13 December 2018.
Guest speaker at the event is Irish Farmers Journal agribusiness editor Eoin Lowry. He will speak about the current performance of the agri food industry and the outlook for 2019.
Breakfast will be served from 7.30am. The event costs £10 for members, £15 for non-members and £7.50 for students.
Places should be booked in advance before Monday 10 December by contacting NIIAS chair Francis Lively at chairman@niias.co.uk or 079-36648495.
Online registration is also available by searching ‘NIIAS breakfast’ on www.eventbrite.co.uk
DAERA consults on Brexit changes
Two public consultations are currently ongoing in DAERA over proposed changes to NI domestic legislation ahead of the UK leaving the European Union.
The proposals mainly relate to new NI legislation required as part of the UK government’s EU Withdrawal Act, as well as updates to EU references in existing legislation.
The regulations have been drafted on the basis of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
“This is to allow readiness for all eventualities and is not an indication of whether the UK will exit the EU under a deal or no-deal scenario,” the consultation letter reads.
A department spokesperson said that all proposed regulations can be finalised without a minister in post at DAERA.
Protect your water supply this winter
NI Water, along with the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), has urged farmers to protect their water supply this winter, by ensuring pipes are insulated against frost.
As part of routine maintenance, NI Water also advises farmers to:
Check meters on a regular basis. Consider mapping the line of the pipework around the farm.Install a number of stop valves to isolate water supply to disused areas. Check for and repair any leakage promptly.Inspect remote troughs which may not be used at this time of year.Ensure all underground pipes are buried 750mm below ground. Read more
Champion tops Tuam Limousin sale at €5,000
Charolais average at Christmas Cracker tops autumn bull sales
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