I see former president of the IFA Joe Healy was elected as a director of Self Help Africa at the organisation’s recent AGM.

Self Help Africa supports rural and poor farming households in countries across Africa to grow and earn more from their small farms.

Healy, who recently visited Ethiopia, said that many of the lessons that Ireland’s agricultural sector has learned could be replicated.

“Our experience in the area of adding value to agricultural production is something that certainly can be applied,” he said.

“Irish farming has made huge progress and had huge success in making farming profitable. That is a path that farmers in Africa can follow to end poverty.”

Joe Healy has been elected as a director of Self Help Africa.

Former minister’s adviser turns to communications

I see Jonathan Hoare, who was special adviser to Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, has taken up a new role.

The Cork man is the new director of communications and public affairs at the Irish Local Development Network. It represents Ireland’s 47 local development companies, which operate programmes around social inclusion, rural development and social enterprise. I’m sure after working on the minister’s team through last year’s beef protests, he’s well able for the job.

When one door closes, another opens.

Tractor-only drivers take to roads

I see the latest batch of tractor-only drivers have been given the green light by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to join the road.

Scanning down through RSA licence data, The Dealer discovered 101 full tractor licences were issued in 2019. These drivers rely on their tractors for all their transport needs.

Mayo added 12 full-time tractor drivers to the roads. Donegal was close behind with 11, while Sligo issued 10 licences. The streets of Dublin welcomed three link box merchants in 2019.

As of July, 25 full-time tractor licences were issued in 2020. The Dealer suspects the tradition is around for the foreseeable, with dozens still opting to arrive in style.

Women with skills in strategy development please apply

The charities governance code encourages charities to review their boards for diversity of skillsets, identify conflicts and set defined terms of office.

Some agricultural boards might lack this diversity and renewal.

Not so Macra na Feirme. The Dealer was not surprised that a conflict of interest was identified, with current independent Macra board member Gary Freemantle appointed as interim CEO of An Taisce.

Freemantle brought a strategy development and implementation skillset to the table, so this is probably what is sought in his replacement. And with the board weighted 10:2 to the men since the last election, the leadership must also be looking for that skillset in a woman.

Interested in adding your voice to the Macra board of directors? All the details are on the Macra LinkedIn page. On a side note, we wish Gary the best in his new role and we hope he brings the voice of young farmers to the board of An Taisce.

New mart manager in Athenry

I note Athenry Mart in Co Galway has appointed a new manager. Brian Hogan from Kilkenny has taken up the position vacated by Alan Barry at the end of 2019. Brian has a strong financial background and also farms beef and sheep. He takes up the mantle at a tricky time given COVID-19 restrictions, but no doubt will be well fit to keep sellers and buyers on their toes and adhering to guidelines.

The great lockdown weed cull

The Dealer hears that sales of herbicide for killing grassland weeds have gone through the roof this year, with a big rise in sales during the COVID-19 lockdown.

An industry source reckons sales are up 25% and apparently it’s down to the lockdown pastime of donning the knapsack on an evening walk and spot spraying as you go.

Gyms were closed, so heading up the hill with 20kg on your back was the next best thing. Meanwhile thistles, docks and ragwort all got zapped along the way.