Dodgy painter doing the rounds

Last week, the Dealer reported on a painting contractor based in Newbridge (strangely with a Cork phone number) that was using an Irish Farmers Journal logo on its van and trailer to promote his business.

We were unequivocal in distancing ourselves from the rogue trader. However, thanks to the good people of Ireland, it would appear that he and his team are getting around. Further calls were received from Mayo, Cork, Kildare and Meath with reports of the painter being in their area over the past month.

I can’t speak for his ability to paint or clean sheds but he absolutely doesn’t have permission to be using the Journal logo on his van. We absolutely do not endorse painters or building contractors.

Rosderra stops collecting IFA levies

The Dealer notes with interest that Ireland’s dominant pig meat processor, Rosderra, has ceased collecting levies for the IFA from pig farmers. A pig farmer told the Dealer that the processor was only collecting from those who agreed – only about half were reportedly signed up for the 20 cent per pig levy. The IFA will now presumably devise an alternative means of collecting funds to support their activities on behalf of pig producers.

Alan Reilly to review NZ inquiry

I see that Professor Alan Reilly, chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, will act as expert peer reviewer for the New Zealand government’s investigation into the recent whey protein concentrate contamination incident.

Lambing Live returns to BBC

The Dealer is delighted to hear that one of my favourite shows, ‘Lambing Live’, will return to the BBC next spring. The show brought the cameras into the sheep shed for a week during lambing and did a great job at communicating the realities of farming to consumers.

Pharmacist turns tractor dealer

The meaning of the word pharmacy can be traced back to the days of the Greeks. It is derived from the word pharmakeus meaning sorcery, magician or to put someone under a spell.

I know tractor dealers sometimes have to pull out all the stops to sell a machine and farmers have often come home to their wife after buying a tractor thinking they have been put under a spell by the seller. However, I was interested to hear of a Longford pharmacist investing a sizeable six figure sum in a large tractor dealership in Mayo.

John Tully, who owns and operates the Edgeworthstown pharmacy, has recently invested approximately €600,000 in shares in Murphy’s Garage Ltd in Headford, Mayo. Murphy’s Garage is the only John Deere dealership in the west of Ireland.

Accueillir à nouveau Michael Walsh

Welcome back to Dublin to Michael Walsh, the former Department of Agriculture press office supremo. For the past five years, he has been first secretary (agriculture) at the Irish Embassy in Paris. He has recently returned to Agriculture House where he will look after international market access.