NI milk price averages 28p/l

The latest figures from DAERA show that the average milk price paid to NI dairy farmers in the first six months of 2018 was 28.09p/litre. The price is 1.72p/l higher than the same period in 2017, and 10.05p/l higher than the first six months of 2016. The average monthly NI milk price had been declining during the six months to May 2018, however it increased in June to 27.51p/l, up from 27.16p/l in the previous month.

Animal feed deliveries up 8%

Deliveries of animal feed to NI farms were up by 8% in the first six months of 2018, the latest figures from DAERA indicate.

In total, 1.34m tonnes of compounds and processed feedstuffs left NI mills up to the end of June 2018, compared with 1.23m tonnes for the same period last year.

The biggest difference between 2017 and 2018 was seen in April when deliveries were up 15%.

Deliveries of beef blends in the first half of the year were up by 23% to 141,100t and beef compounds increased 10% to 89,700t. In the dairy sector, cow compounds were up 5.3% to 296,100t and dairy blends increased 15% to 130,500t.

Deliveries of sheep concentrates were up 16% to 50,300t, poultry feed was up 7% to 429,100t and pig feedstuff output increased marginally by 1% to 112,800t.

Moy Park – largest company in NI

Poultry processor Moy Park has been ranked the largest company in NI in terms of turnover for the eighth year in a row. The annual top-100 companies list, compiled by Ulster Business magazine, is based on the latest accounts filed by companies in NI.

Moy Park had sales of £1.4bn in its financial year ending December 2016. The company was also ranked number one in terms of employee numbers, with 9,620 staff, and profits of £59.7m.

Agri-food companies continued to feature highly on the top-100 list, with grain traders W & R Barnett regaining second spot with a turnover £1.11bn in the 12 months to July 2017.

Meat processor Dunbia moved down one place to fourth, while Dale Farm moved from 20th to 10th.

UK should follow Irish tax breaks

The UK Government should introduce tax breaks to incentivise landowners to let land out in longer-term tenancies, Jeremy Moody from the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) has said.

In 2015, the Irish Government introduced income tax relief for landowners letting land out for five years or more.

Moody said that around 300,000 acres were let under these terms in the first two years of the incentive being introduced.

“The area of conacre fell by 3% in 2015, 15% in 2016 and 28% in 2017, suggesting a progressive shift to longer term lettings as desired by the Irish Government,” he said.

With the UK Government aiming to increase agricultural productivity after Brexit, Moody said that tax relief similar to what the Irish Government introduced could have a rapid and long-term impact.

Farm Resilience Programme

Farmers in the Garvagh and Banbridge areas are being given the opportunity to take part in the Farm Resilience Programme, funded by the Prince’s Countryside Trust and offered by local charity Rural Support.

The free programme is aimed at dairy or beef and sheep farmers not currently involved in benchmarking or a business development group, but who want to look at ways to improve their business. It involves a series of five group workshops, as well as one-to-one mentoring on farm. At the end of the formal programme there is an opportunity for further group activities, with farmers who participated last year, undertaking a visit to farms in Scotland.

For more information contact Gillian Reid on gillian@ruralsupport.org.uk or 028-86760040.

Dorsets sell to 1,150gns

The annual export-accredited sale of Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset sheep at Hilltown Mart last week saw prices to a top of 1,150 guineas (gns).

The highest-selling lot was a September 2017-born ram that was exhibited by Richard Currie from Ballymena and was placed reserve champion in the show before the sale.

The show champion was a ewe lamb exhibited by William and Karen Carson from Ballymena, that went on to sell for 500gns.

There was a 95% clearance rate at the sale, with 16 of the 42 sheep on offer purchased by buyers from the Republic of Ireland. Overall, ram lambs averaged £515, ewe lambs £262 and shearling ewes £217.

12 vintage tractors stolen in Co Down

Police are investigating the theft of 12 vintage tractors, a low loader trailer and a power washer from a property on the Killynure Road in Carryduff.

Ten of the tractors are Massey Fergusons, with red bodywork and grey chassis. Two of these tractors also have cabs. The two other tractors are an orange Nuffield Universal and a blue Dexta.

“We believe the machinery was stolen sometime between 10am on Wednesday 8 August and 4.30pm on Thursday 9 August,” said PSNI Chief inspector Jonathan Wilson.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the PSNI on the non-emergency number 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.