It’s ironic that for the first time Ireland Inc (our Department) has its hand on the wheel in directing CAP funds for Irish farmers but farmers have never been more removed from the consultation process.

Of course, COVID-19 limits face-to-face engagement but something more creative and innovative will have to be done to allow for meaningful consultation on hugely significant changes in Irish agriculture.

The Department and its staff performed admirably in the town hall meetings online. The information was clear and concise and all were impeccably schooled in asking for feedback on proposals. However, the audience, which might amount to maybe 1% of farmers over the three nights, got no indication of the flow of questions, no ability to give feedback on answers and no opportunity to listen to those farmer representatives tasked up to now in delivering these new measures.

Muting farmers won’t help this process. In the last 10 days we have had a series of significant announcements for farmers. The Department is right to look for feedback, but with all due respect to farmers, they are primarily interested in what is happening on their own farm and how that will change. Of course they need answers and the Department is willing.

However, farm organisations are mandated to look after sectoral interests and all farmers. Fighting among organisations does nothing to help the farmers’ cause. It’s clear we need a new plan from the minister on what consultation is and when it is once farmers have all the information.

This week’s cartoon

Nitrates action plan: differing perspectives between Teagasc and Department

Details of the proposed Nitrate Action Plan were released this week. It certainly will take some time for dairy farmers to cost the real impact on farm.

Similarly, we also see the publication of the Teagasc advice to the Government on managing nitrates.

On the face of it, it looks like the Department has taken on board some of the Teagasc advice and has parked other parts.

Teagasc strongly advises to hold the 250kg organic nitrogen stocking rate limit in the nitrates derogation. Reducing this could have a very significant impact on profitability. It also suggests that milking platform stocking rate is not important if slurry is managed across all the area farmed.

Teagasc says more science could be used in the start date for spreading fertiliser in the spring. However, the Department seems to be going with predetermined dates per region.

Expect more to come on this as farmers distil the proposals.

Harvet: Hoping for respite from the rain

In what is a very difficult time for cereal growers, we see sweeping rain call a halt to most field work at a critical time for those with crops ripe to harvest. Thankfully, the forecast suggests some drier weather is on the way into next week.

Stress levels can be huge for farmers, so be considerate to those under pressure.

The EU has big plans to reduce its dependency on imported protein and to ensure that any imports entering the EU-27 are produced to similar standards to the EU.

Ireland’s plans are largely similar, with beans as the protein source.

It looks like a win-win for tillage farmers – we wait and watch.

Dairy equipment: smart investment

Our Focus this week carries a couple of features on dairy farms where significant investment has taken place to make the enterprise sustainable in terms of labour efficiency and work-life balance.

Long gone are the days when hour after hour was spent in the parlour, which is difficult for milkers and animals.

It is hard to believe the Department can’t see the benefit of grant aiding such investments. Sustainability is about more than the environment and some balance in terms of investment in critical areas is essential. We need clear policy on investment aid, not populist moves to keep other agri sectors happy.