Nigel Renaghan is a poultry, suckler and beef farmer from Clontibret, Co Monaghan. What is his farming background? “I was a beef farmer and then got into suckler cows. I was working away and had few issues. Then my wife had our second child. She said she wanted to be at home with the kids and what was I going to do about it? She had a good job, earning good money. I realised I hadn’t the income from farming and that put me in an awkward situation.
“I went and borrowed over €600,000 and built poultry sheds. I’m still paying off the poultry sheds. But it’s very, very tough. I didn’t realise I was hardly fit to make repayments. That’s why I got involved in IFA. I joined to make a difference when prices were on the floor.”
Nigel went on to a local committee and went on to represent Monaghan on the national farm business committee. He put himself forward and became poultry chair. “I still have the suckler cows and a couple of pens of beef.”
Poultry chair
In this role of poultry chair, his most important in IFA to date, what has he delivered for farmers? “I got TAMS funding for poultry measures for the first time ever. I got multiple measures. I got funding for discussion groups for poultry farmers. I got the biggest price increase for broiler producers ever achieved. For breeder farmer’s I got the first increase in 17 years. For guys who rear pullets I got the first increase ever. I got all poultry farmers united under the IFA umbrella – at a time when people were running away.”
So could he get a price increase for every farmer? “I won’t commit to stuff I can’t deliver on. What I will do is my very best to do that. I will tell you what my first step will be: Bord Bia tell us we produce a premium product. So why are they giving it away? Why can’t they get a premium for our product?”
What payment would he want as IFA deputy president?
“If I can use my position to get a fair share of retail price for farmers, a better margin for farmers, that will be payment enough for me. After all, by doing so I’ll be increasing my own farm income, too.
“At the moment, by the time I make my repayment every month, I’m lucky if I’ve enough to live on.”
“We’re all farmers, irrespective of what sector you come from. It’s price, price, price. Beef, milk, lamb, pigs, poultry, potatoes or grain – we’re all in this together. And I take it as an insult if someone tries to pigeon hole me.”
Does the IFA need transparency? “It does and I’ll tell you why. If I’m paying, I’m entitled to know – it’s my money. If someone comes in to cut my hedges or paint my sheds, I will get a bill. There has to be transparency and accountability in IFA, too.”
CV
Nigel RenaghanAge: 45.Home farm: Clontibret, Co Monaghan.Farms: 37ha.System: Poultry, suckler and beef farmer.Family: Married to Bernice with six children – Pat, Peter, Katie, Colleen, Sofia-Isabella and Hugh.Current: IFA poultry committee chair.Past: IFA farm business committee. Read more
IFA deputy presidential election candidates interviews:
Richard KennedyPat FarrellFull coverage: IFA elections 2016
Nigel Renaghan is a poultry, suckler and beef farmer from Clontibret, Co Monaghan. What is his farming background? “I was a beef farmer and then got into suckler cows. I was working away and had few issues. Then my wife had our second child. She said she wanted to be at home with the kids and what was I going to do about it? She had a good job, earning good money. I realised I hadn’t the income from farming and that put me in an awkward situation.
“I went and borrowed over €600,000 and built poultry sheds. I’m still paying off the poultry sheds. But it’s very, very tough. I didn’t realise I was hardly fit to make repayments. That’s why I got involved in IFA. I joined to make a difference when prices were on the floor.”
Nigel went on to a local committee and went on to represent Monaghan on the national farm business committee. He put himself forward and became poultry chair. “I still have the suckler cows and a couple of pens of beef.”
Poultry chair
In this role of poultry chair, his most important in IFA to date, what has he delivered for farmers? “I got TAMS funding for poultry measures for the first time ever. I got multiple measures. I got funding for discussion groups for poultry farmers. I got the biggest price increase for broiler producers ever achieved. For breeder farmer’s I got the first increase in 17 years. For guys who rear pullets I got the first increase ever. I got all poultry farmers united under the IFA umbrella – at a time when people were running away.”
So could he get a price increase for every farmer? “I won’t commit to stuff I can’t deliver on. What I will do is my very best to do that. I will tell you what my first step will be: Bord Bia tell us we produce a premium product. So why are they giving it away? Why can’t they get a premium for our product?”
What payment would he want as IFA deputy president?
“If I can use my position to get a fair share of retail price for farmers, a better margin for farmers, that will be payment enough for me. After all, by doing so I’ll be increasing my own farm income, too.
“At the moment, by the time I make my repayment every month, I’m lucky if I’ve enough to live on.”
“We’re all farmers, irrespective of what sector you come from. It’s price, price, price. Beef, milk, lamb, pigs, poultry, potatoes or grain – we’re all in this together. And I take it as an insult if someone tries to pigeon hole me.”
Does the IFA need transparency? “It does and I’ll tell you why. If I’m paying, I’m entitled to know – it’s my money. If someone comes in to cut my hedges or paint my sheds, I will get a bill. There has to be transparency and accountability in IFA, too.”
CV
Nigel RenaghanAge: 45.Home farm: Clontibret, Co Monaghan.Farms: 37ha.System: Poultry, suckler and beef farmer.Family: Married to Bernice with six children – Pat, Peter, Katie, Colleen, Sofia-Isabella and Hugh.Current: IFA poultry committee chair.Past: IFA farm business committee. Read more
IFA deputy presidential election candidates interviews:
Richard KennedyPat FarrellFull coverage: IFA elections 2016
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