Six-fold drop in EFS applications
DAERA received 355 applications for the fourth tranche of the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) wider level, a department spokesperson has confirmed.
It marks a significant reduction in scheme uptake from previous tranches. For example, over 2,000 farmers applied for EFS wider level in the third tranche last year.
The drop in demand is most likely due to the watercourse stabilisation option no longer being available in the fourth tranche of the scheme. The measure, which allowed for single fencing along waterways, was removed following a high uptake in previous tranches.
3,800 COVID
fund forms to be submitted
Almost one-third of eligible claimants for the COVID-19 support package had not submitted applications by mid-week.
In a statement, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said that by Wednesday morning over 7,500 applications had been received out of 11,300 eligible businesses.
“I am calling on anyone who has been contacted by my department already to say they are eligible, to get their applications in as soon as they can,” Minister Poots said.
Farmers who are eligible for the scheme should have received a letter from DAERA.
The application window for the dairy, beef and sheep schemes closes on Wednesday 23 September. Applications for potato growers close on 30 September.
6,000 chickens die in Tyrone shed fire
Approximately 6,000 chickens were killed in a Co Tyrone shed fire on Sunday night 13 September, the NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed.
Firefgihters were called to the blaze on the Crosscavanagh Road in Dungannon at 10.37pm.
A spokesperson for the NIFRS said: “Firefighters worked hard in challenging conditions to prevent the fire spreading and used three jets to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental ignition.”
Lleyn sheep in demand at Ballymena
Pedigree Lleyn ewes sold to an average of £230 for shearlings, up £62 on last year at the annual NI Society sale in Ballymena Mart.
Shearling ewes peaked at £275 for animals bred by A Caldwell, Ballymena. Ewe lambs sold to an average of £144, up £33 on the year with a top price of £190 paid on animals forwarded by A Trainer, Newry.
Rams sold to a peak of 1,800gns for Giggadis Indiana Jones, bred by B and E Latimer, Trillick. Rams averaged £664, up £135 on the year.
Meanwhile, Beltex sheep sold at Ballymena peaked at 500gns for a shearling ram bred by Sean Daly, Omagh with the same breeder realising 400gns for a mature ram. Shearling ewes topped out at 320gns.
Test before treating sheep for fluke
Sheep farmers should blood test lambs for fluke before administering treatments to their main flock this autumn, animal health experts have recommended.
“The test can detect infection much earlier than faecal methods, which rely on the liver flukes being more mature,” said Professor Diana Williams from the University of Liverpool.
“Lambs are ideal as an early warning because they can only have picked up liver fluke this season,” she added.
The aim is to avoid treating sheep for fluke before peak infection as flukicides have no persistency. It means sheep that are treated too early and remain on fluke infested pasture are still at risk.
Unnecessary fluke treatments are also a waste of money and increase the risk of anthelmintic resistance.
Six-fold drop in EFS applications
DAERA received 355 applications for the fourth tranche of the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) wider level, a department spokesperson has confirmed.
It marks a significant reduction in scheme uptake from previous tranches. For example, over 2,000 farmers applied for EFS wider level in the third tranche last year.
The drop in demand is most likely due to the watercourse stabilisation option no longer being available in the fourth tranche of the scheme. The measure, which allowed for single fencing along waterways, was removed following a high uptake in previous tranches.
3,800 COVID
fund forms to be submitted
Almost one-third of eligible claimants for the COVID-19 support package had not submitted applications by mid-week.
In a statement, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said that by Wednesday morning over 7,500 applications had been received out of 11,300 eligible businesses.
“I am calling on anyone who has been contacted by my department already to say they are eligible, to get their applications in as soon as they can,” Minister Poots said.
Farmers who are eligible for the scheme should have received a letter from DAERA.
The application window for the dairy, beef and sheep schemes closes on Wednesday 23 September. Applications for potato growers close on 30 September.
6,000 chickens die in Tyrone shed fire
Approximately 6,000 chickens were killed in a Co Tyrone shed fire on Sunday night 13 September, the NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed.
Firefgihters were called to the blaze on the Crosscavanagh Road in Dungannon at 10.37pm.
A spokesperson for the NIFRS said: “Firefighters worked hard in challenging conditions to prevent the fire spreading and used three jets to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental ignition.”
Lleyn sheep in demand at Ballymena
Pedigree Lleyn ewes sold to an average of £230 for shearlings, up £62 on last year at the annual NI Society sale in Ballymena Mart.
Shearling ewes peaked at £275 for animals bred by A Caldwell, Ballymena. Ewe lambs sold to an average of £144, up £33 on the year with a top price of £190 paid on animals forwarded by A Trainer, Newry.
Rams sold to a peak of 1,800gns for Giggadis Indiana Jones, bred by B and E Latimer, Trillick. Rams averaged £664, up £135 on the year.
Meanwhile, Beltex sheep sold at Ballymena peaked at 500gns for a shearling ram bred by Sean Daly, Omagh with the same breeder realising 400gns for a mature ram. Shearling ewes topped out at 320gns.
Test before treating sheep for fluke
Sheep farmers should blood test lambs for fluke before administering treatments to their main flock this autumn, animal health experts have recommended.
“The test can detect infection much earlier than faecal methods, which rely on the liver flukes being more mature,” said Professor Diana Williams from the University of Liverpool.
“Lambs are ideal as an early warning because they can only have picked up liver fluke this season,” she added.
The aim is to avoid treating sheep for fluke before peak infection as flukicides have no persistency. It means sheep that are treated too early and remain on fluke infested pasture are still at risk.
Unnecessary fluke treatments are also a waste of money and increase the risk of anthelmintic resistance.
SHARING OPTIONS