Grassroots Magazine July 2013

FARM Forestry

22

Irish Fishing Rights

51

72

56

Bloom in Pictures

Contractor Profile

By Gone Days

July 2013

Special on Goats. Also Cooking, Festivals and Competitions

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INSIDE

FARM

FARM Forestry

News Farm News 6 Tillage Good Yield Potential 9

One foot in the furrow

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22

Don Crowley Dairy Expansion

Sheep Athenry 12 Beef

Clingseal 14

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

from Agriculture 15

Dairy Farming Today

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Ireland’s Booming Dairy Industry Could Lead to Superlevy Fine

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Dairy Expansion

Fertility Management, Planning for Dairy Expansion

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Dairy Expansion with the existing cow numbers and resources on the farm

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Dairy

Pedigree

IHFA Open Day

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Forestry

Ash attack, Ireland’s response to Chalara Fraxniea

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Machinery

T8 Series Tractor range

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Contractor Profile, Mark Troy

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Machinery news 32

FOOD Festival s

Kenmare Food Carnival

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30

T8 Series

Win a Cookery Book 35 Home Cooking

Calso Cooks

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The Benefits of Goat’s Milk

38

Artisan Producers

The Good Life and Good Food in Loughbeg

40

Organic Goat Cheese Awarded Best Irish Cheese in 2013

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The Goat’s beard

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Smallholding

Grow Your Own

Gardeners Year

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The Celtic ‘Tiger’ Worm

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Troubled Water, Irish inland fishing rights

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Hay making

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Farm Models and Diorama Picture Competition

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HOBBIES Fishing

Vintage Farm Models

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RURAL INTEREST

Calso Cooks

Laughing Stock 56 Business “Home and Away” 57 Macra/Youth

French Girl wins Blue Jean Country Queen Title

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Shows

Through the Lens @ Cork Show

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Bloom 2013 in pictures

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John Anthony Recalls

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By Gone Days

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40

Loughbeg

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FARM Forestry

Next Issue: August -

on ine. The sun has shone e of GrassRoots Magaz Welcome to the July issu for brief spells. us finally, even if it was insist Irish magazine as we proves that this is an The opening paragraph sible. weather whenever pos on talking about the s such tent including article a diverse range of con This month we have numbers and cow g stin exi the h iry Expansion wit an. as Don Crowleys “Da t to Bloom by Carly Dol and the pictorial visi m” far the on es urc reso tractTroy to discuss his con to contractor, Mark e with John In this issue we spoke lan ry mo me n dow t in Co. Cork. We wen ing operation based e days article.

Co. Sligo in our by-gon from an Cog y hon Ant ry e. Award winning Dai contributors in this issu We introduce two new tillage section. our in ne Dea Sam t, and Agronomis Farmer, William Morris goat’s from award winning s this month on goats, llsma on ts There is a special focu goa g pin er kee goats milk. We also cov cheese, to benefits of along with all rise erp ent t goa egs ture on Loughb holdings. We have a fea ducts. pro isan art er oth ir the g this ting us and makin advertisers for suppor I want to thank the encourage all to ty uni ort opp s Let me take thi team. publication possible. you to be part of the advertisers. We want our t por sup to s der rea after all, this is e aus bec ges ima back, stories and We welcome all feed . ine gaz ma r you

Reseeding Focus Artisan Focus

Please send us any stories, news items, images or anything else that you might consider of interest to us.

d and ots Magazine in han to sit back with Grassro Now please take time enjoy.

To: editorgrassroots@gmail.com Also Facebook and Twitter

August, Thank you and until

Jason.

July Competitions

Issue July 2013 Editorial: Editor: Jason Webb Email: editorgrassroots@gmail.com Tweets: twitter.com/Ed_GrassRoots Friend: facebook.com/ed.grassroots

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Advertising: 086 4684411 or 086 4664488 williamwills@grassrootsmag.ie sales@grassrootsmag.ie Magazine Layout/ Design: Katharina Walter Advert Design: Charlie Geary

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Distribution and Publisher: Grassroots Media Ltd Next Issue distribution – 15,000 www.grassrootsmag.ie

Photography: Eddie Drea, Maria Kelly, Flickr (creative commons), Victoria Deane

Contributors: Carly Dolan, Caroline Burgess, Dr. Dan Ryan, Jackie W.B., Joe McCarthy, Paul O’Sullivan, Stephen Dowling, Victoria Deane

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any shape or form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocoping or otherwise without written permission of the publishers, Grassroots Media Ltd. Whilst every care is taken of submitted MSS, photographs, drawings and content, no responsibility can be accepted for their loss or damage.

Grassroots Media Ltd does not accept responsibility for the quality or content of advertisements or articles supplied by, or compiled under instruction from a third party. Grassroots Media Ltd does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by opinion, tips and advice giving in this publication.

Grassroots Media Ltd accepts no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors and advertisers. In addition, while every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained in Grassroots Magazine, we do not accept responsibility for any errors or matters arising same.

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FARM Forestry

5

FARM News

by Carly Dolan

There have been mixed reactions from Irish farmers about the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, after a deal was finally reached in Brussels in late June. Young farmers have welcomed the news while others say produc-

The CAP Deal tive farms will lose out as a result.

Agricultural Minister Simon Coveney announced a successful conclusion to the reform talks on June 26. He said the new deal would redistribute payments more

equally among farmers, ensure higher environmental standards were met and encourage modern innovation in an aging farming sector.

The deal has been nearly three years in the making, with political squabbling taking over the talks along the way. Final negotiations between the EU Parliament, Agriculture Commission Dacian Ciolos and Mr Coveney came to an unexpectedly swift decision last week. The reforms determine how farm payments will be distributed across EU member states between 2014 and 2020.

Significant decisions in the seven-year budget include a 60 per cent minimum payment, the option for 10 per cent coupling with 2013 as a reference year, and mandatory top-ups for young farmers.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) voiced its significant concerns with the deal, but said progress had been made as a result of determined opposition from countries such as Ireland. Association President John Bryan called it a “flawed reform”, saying tens of thousands of family farms would lose out and some farmers would be challenged to retain their production and viability as a consequence.

“Fifty-thousand of our most productive farmers will lose between 15 per cent and 35 per cent of their overall payments by 2019, which will have a serious impact on farm incomes,” he said. “[However] since the CAP Reform Commission proposals first emerged, significant progress has been made to minimise the damage to Irish agriculture.

“Minister Coveney and his officials have worked hard to secure the compromises necessary to deliver a deal in what has been a complex, difficult and damaging CAP reform.”

As part of the deal, rural areas and farmers in member states are expected to take “simple, proven measures to promote sustainability and combat climate change”, a statement from the European Commission said. Between 2014 and 2020, more than €100 billion will be invested to help farmers meet the challenges related to soil and water quality, biodiversity and climate change.

FARM News

ICMSA President John Comer

IFA President John Bryan

Mr Bryan said those changes to the greening proposals were practical and necessary. “A lot of work will now be required to ensure smooth implementation of these measures and IFA would be insisting that no extra bureaucracy or administrative burdens are imposed on farmers. Market supports have a strong part to play in mitigating dairy price volatility, and they must not be eroded.”

Macra na Feirme President Kieran O’Dowd welcomed the 25 per cent top-up for young farmers that will be introduced from 2015 as part of the reforms. “It will be the first direct support available to young farmers since Installation Aid was axed in 2008,” he said. “A mandatory young farmer top-up will act as a strong signal to the industry and influence the early transfer of holdings to younger farmers. Voluntary schemes for governments in the middle of a recession are too vulnerable to budget-

Macra National President Kieran O’Dowd

ary pressures. Young farmers’ measures are definitely the most positive aspects of this CAP reform, given that the other changes have done nothing to address either the need to target active farmers or address food security concerns.”

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association President John Comer said the outline CAP agreement represented progress on previous more radical models of direct payment redistribution. However, he said it was impossible to ignore the fact that payments would be diverted from the state’s most active productive farmers and that this change would come up against the development of the agri-food sector.

“Key decision now have to be made at national state level and first amongst those would be the definition of what is an ‘active farmer’,” he said. “ICMSA will make its feelings very clear on this subject.”

European Commission’s key points on CAP deal: -

Direct payments are to be distributed in a fairer way between member states, between regions and between farmers, putting an end to ‘historical references’.

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The distribution of the CAP budget will ensure that no single member state receives less than 75 per cent of the community average by 2019.

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Within a given member state or region, divergences in the levels of aid will be reduced from one holding to the next: aid per hectare may not be less than 60 per cent of the average of the aid disbursed by 2019 in a single administrative or agronomic area.

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Member states will be able to increase support for small and medium-sized farms by allocating higher levels of aid for the ‘first hectares’ of a holding.

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For new member states, the Simplified Area Payments Scheme (SAPS) – a single payment per hectare – may be extended until 2020.

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Only farmers currently active may benefit from income-support schemes.

Young farmers will be strongly encouraged to set up business, with the introduction of all member states of a 25 per cent aid supplement during the first five years in addition to the existing investment measures aimed at young farmers.

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Member state will also be able to allocate increased amounts of aid to less favoured areas. It will be possible to allocated coupled payments for a limited number of products, with a specific 2 per cent coupling for plant-based proteins, in order to make the EU less dependent on imports.

Cheese Advertising will not be Banned New television advertising rules aimed at eliminating the promotion of unhealthy and fatty snacks will not include cheese.

It had been proposed that cheese advertising would to be outlawed from household screens whereas other items such as diet coke would be given advertising approval.

IFA National Dairy Committee Chairman Kevin Kiersey has strongly welcomed the decision to exempt cheese from the new rules for TV advertising, saying it represented a victory for common sense.

He said, “Cheese provides a concentrated source of calcium and many other valuable nutrients. The value of dairy and cheese in children’s diets is well documented, and both the FSAI and the Department of Health recommend 3 to 5 portions of dairy products a day for children and teenagers. Low or full fat cheese, in moderate portion sizes, must be part of the options available to parents and kids as part of a balanced diet”.

Kevin Kiersey said, “The proposal that cheese should be treated the same way for advertising purposes as other foods such as confectionery, crisps or sugary soft drinks, and that it is somehow less healthy than diet cola, was based on flawed methodology and was fundamentally wrong. We outlined in detail our objections to the BAI’s proposed approach in our October 2011 submission on this topic.”

“Recent studies have clearly shown that the prevalence of obesity among the under 18 has increased in the last 15 years, but that cheese consumption in this age group has remained stable and is in fact substantially less than the recommended daily portion of 28 grammes.

There is no link between the incidence of overweight in Irish children and cheese consumption, and therefore no justification for the demonisation of cheese by the BAI,” Mr Kiersey said.

“In the Food Harvest 2020 report, Government has set out a target of 50% growth for the dairy sector in the next 10 years, in order to grow domestic and most of all export earnings from the industry. In this context, restricting the legitimate marketing activity of the industry would have been totally unacceptable, as well as unjustified,” he concluded.

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FARM News

Friendly lamb gives thief away “Leave them alone and they’ll come home wagging their tails behind them”.

Pat Scanlon a sheep farmer from County Kerry is living proof of the truth there is to Little Bo Peep’s nursery rhyme.

Scanlon had 17 sheep stolen from him on May 22nd last year. These sheep were a significant loss as they were valued at €1600. The next day the thief, Michael Folan, aged 32, of Kippagh, Ballyvourney, was caught red handed at a mart in Kerry.

One of the lambs Folan was trying to sell spotted his original owner, Mr. Scanlon, in the crowd and ran to him. Once the lamb ran to him Scanlon spotted the rest of his sheep close by.

Michael Folan was brought before Kenmare district court where he pleaded guilty to the theft. Folan was sentenced to 28 days in prison by Judge James O Connor.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill and Junior Health Minister Alex White T.D. with Oulart-the-Ballagh captain Keith Rossiter, left, Senan Kilbride, St Brigid’s, Roscommon, and Stacey Cannon, Kildare, in attendance at the Off the Booze On the Ball launch.Picture credit: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE

by Carly Dolan

What the Drinks Sponsorship Ban Would Mean for Farmers What would happen if Irish alcohol companies lost their right to sponsor sporting events?

Some of the major concerns include Ireland being excluded from international competitions and rural sporting clubs losing their much-needed funding. But one of the most worrying warnings comes from the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), which says damage to the drinks industry would impact severely on Ireland’s agricultural sector.

IFA President John Bryan said the drinks industry was a significant purchaser of Irish crops and products, which uses more than 200,000 tonnes of malting barley for beers, 300m litres of milk for liqueurs and 40,000 tonnes of apples for ciders each year.

“Premium brands such as Guinness, Baileys and Jameson – all of which have built a global reputation based on sourcing quality raw material from Irish farming and the use of sponsorship and advertising – need to maintain market share in a very competitive environment,” he said.

“Anything that impedes this could have a detrimental impact on the potential of the wider agri-food sector.

“In the case of malting barley, demand has been increasing in recent years,

Slaughter up 10% According to the Irish central statistics office, cattle slaughter in Ireland increased to 510,000 head in January to April 2013 from the 465,000 head slaughtered in the same period of 2012. Pig slaughter stood at 980,000 (993,000) head.

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which is very important to the viability of tillage farmers and economic activity in rural Ireland. The other customers for Irish farm produce also play a vital role in our export-led sector.”

Mr Bryan said Ireland’s indigenous industries should be encouraged to grow and expand job opportunities, output and exports. “At this time, our country needs joined-up thinking more than ever, and a clear understanding of the consequences of pursuing only one side of the debate.

“As a voluntary organisation with a presence in every parish in rural Ireland, IFA would (also) have a concern that the removal of this sponsorship funding would have a knock-on impact on local sports clubs, which are a central element of rural communities, in financing their teams and activities,” he said.

Minister for Sport, Leo Varadkar, also questioned the rationale behind the proposal made by the Department of Health to ban alcohol sponsorship of large sporting events, but not cultural events.

The latest development in the debate was a draft report by the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, which recommended that the ban on sponsorship of sporting events by the drinks industry was not merited, RTE reported.

Hayes named Minister of State Tipperary South TD Tom Hayes has been appointed as the new Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

Mr Hayes succeeds the late Meath East TD Shane McEntee, who died suddenly last December.

Farm Tillage

Good Yield Potential in Tillage Crops despite Difficult Spring The medium to long term prospects for tillage farmers in Ireland are good, according to John Spink, Head of Teagasc Crops Research in Oak Park, Carlow. Addressing 1,000 tillage farmers attending a Teagasc Crops Open Day on Wednesday, 26 June, he said that growers need to continuously strive to exploit the high yield potential in Ireland, by getting their technology right, using the most appropriate crop varieties and through the precise application of inputs.

John Spink said that difficult weather conditions for establishing crops last autumn, the long winter and the late cold spring made for a difficult start to year. But he said that despite this, most crops that were established in reasonable conditions have recovered well and have largely compensated for the delay in crop growth and development earlier in the year. So, at present yield potential for the harvest looks reasonably good. Winter wheat,

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winter barley and oat crops are all looking good and showing potential, while most spring barley crops have recovered well, especially those where good establishment took place.

Updates on the possibility to breed wheat varieties for septoria resistance were presented at the Open Day. Up to 34 lines have been screened for septoria resistance over 3 years. Lines with good septoria resistance under Irish conditions have been selected. Researchers have identified genes linked to pathways underlying Septoria resistance and the genes will be used to assist future breeding of better varieties. This has the potential to improve profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of wheat production at farm level. Growers were urged to test their soils regularly to monitor soil P and K fertility levels. By using soil fertility levels to calculate P and K fertiliser rates there is an oppor-

tunity to maximise profits. Research has shown a yield response from using different application methods of P fertiliser. On low P fertility soils, there are yield benefits from combine drilling P fertiliser at sowing time, compared to broadcasting it on the surface.

Paddy Browne, Head of the Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme, said that the Teagasc crops research programme and the advisory service is focussed on providing the highest quality technical information that will be required by the industry to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.

At the Open Day farmers could discuss opportunities to fill fodder deficits on livestock farms from tillage crops. Information on making whole crop cereal silage and the possibilities of buying and treating grain off the combine were presented.

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Sam Deane

Agronomist at Farmco and holds a B.Ag

One foot in

FARM Tillage

the furrow “Stepping into the world of crop protection and agronomy.

This is the edge of Europe and a change in the weather can bring the whole house of cards crashing around our ears” Looking back on the last few weeks since stepping into the world of crop protection and agronomy it has been a whirlwind which can be summed up in three Ts, and it’s not T1, T2, T3 before you all shout it out, but rather thin, tanned and tired.

As I go from farm to farm I have found there is three basic types of farmer, the one who asks questions, but isn’t bothered looking for answers, the father/ son team who seem to Shepherd me around the field and finally the farmer who asks questions and follows your advice to the letter.

Rotations On a more serious note, I have become totally astonished by the lack of rotations on some farms. While some crops will be more forgiving than others, growing beet either sugar or fodder varieties, more than 1 year in four is creating a very big stick which to beat yourself with. The classic example I have come across is beet growing three years in a row in one field. Not only will this create an issue with bolter and wild beet, but also with issues such as Beet Cyst Nematode.

2013 so far, continues to be a year for old advice such as early ploughing and not sowing barley until the soil is warm enough to sit on with your trousers down.

However, we cannot forget the importance of rotation. This is one of the cornerstones

of modern agriculture and is still vital in this age of satellite guidance, SDHI fungicides and Smartphone apps for calculating the GAI of oilseed rape. Rotation lets the farmer and his agronomist tackle problem weeds with different sets of chemistry and also provides a chance to improve soil structure by introducing large rooting crops (oilseed rape and beet), improve field fertility (beans and other legumes) or to simply reduce the risk of ‘Take All’ in wheat growing farms by switching to Oats.

ing them to dry out and die.

While it may be profitable or make sound economic sense to grow high value crops year after year in the short term. In the long term this lack of rotation may actually degrade the field and cause considerable headaches for the generations coming after us.

A second benefit of stubble cultivation is it will chit any weed seeds in the top layer of soil along with volunteer cereals and oilseeds cast by the combine. Whether you choose to use discs, tines or a straw harrow is down to personal preference and soil type, the important point is to get in as soon as the field has been cleared of the crop and ground conditions are dry enough to permit cultivation. This will also provide a greater benefit when burning the field off with Round-up/ Farmco Glyphosate / Barclays Gall-up or any of the other numerous glyphosate products on the market. Burning off will also deny slugs cover and a food supply, thus driving them from the field before the autumn sowing period.

Harvest

Back to the future

With the beginning of the Winter Barley harvest 40 days away (at time of writing) or less, now is an important time to plan your autumn field clean up. The issues which caused such havoc in the spring with slugs and leatherjackets have not gone away. I regularly come across signs of slug damage in crop canopies and have seen large numbers of Cranefly (adult leatherjackets) emerging from crops. Both these species will go on to produce offspring. To reduce slugs, slug eggs and leatherjackets stubble cultivation is invaluable as this will kill slugs and expose slug eggs and leatherjackets to sunlight and the elements caus-

However before I gallop off into the midst of next year’s cropping, I must return to this year’s late sown crops, which have come on leaps and bound in the last few weeks. I am convinced if I stood in certain fields long enough, I would see the crop growing before my eyes. While disease pressure has been low, spring crops have, in most cases, received a robust T1 fungicide and are heading for a head spray. Despite clean, green leaves tempting us to slack off on timings and fungicide use, this is the edge of Europe and a change in the weather can bring the whole house of cards crashing around our ears.

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FARM Forestry

Sheep

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FARM Sheep

Farmers Flocked to Athenry

Over 1,200 sheep farmers attended the Teagasc sheep open day in Athenry, in early June, to hear the latest research updates and the best advice on producing lamb profitably.

The Teagasc Athenry sheep demonstration farm has shown that high levels of lamb output are achievable from mainly grass based diets. Teagasc researcher Philip Creighton told farmers that stocking rates and prolificacy are the two key drivers to maximise lamb output.

Ciaran Lynch, Teagasc, outlined how real gains in productivity and profitability have been made on the commercial farms in the Teagasc BETTER farm Sheep programme. The lowland flocks in the programme achieved an average gross margin per hectare of €670 in 2012, up from €290 per hectare in 2009. On the hill flocks, the gross margin has increased from just under €20 per ewe, to over €33 per ewe in 2012.

Advice on securing adequate fodder stocks for next winter was also available to farmers attending the open day. Despite grass growth rates being 70% below normal on the Athenry farm in March, and 50% below normal in April, some surplus paddocks have already been mowed and baled in good weather conditions, producing high quality silage for next winter.

Financial planning advice was also available at the open day to assist farmers ensure they have adequate cash flow to manage their businesses.

The Teagasc National Farm Survey showed that there were 12,580 sheep farmers in Ireland in 2012, with an average family farm income of €16,898. The average sheep farm was 49 hectares.

The Teagasc sheep open day was supported by the Kepak group and MSD Animal Health.

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FARM Beef

Clingseal In a year when farmers need to replenish their fodder stocks after many silage pits were emptied. Never has been as important to reduce in-silo losses. In-silo losses can vary between 5% and 10% of the total silage crop during the fermentation process. Many farmers are looking at clingseal as the solution to this loss of fodder. Clingseal will reduce your winter feed costs by reducing top and shoulder waste in your silage pit.

Look For Clingseal From Your Local Co-Op Or Merchant.

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Clingseal is a new generation silage sheet that sits directly beneath the traditional black sheet. It is a thin flexible, low permeability film. With advances in modern manufacturing techniques and polymer science, it is tough enough to be handled robustly and can withstand being walked upon while it is being laid.

Clingseal is especially designed to closely follow and cling to the clamp surface where it prevents pockets of trapped air forming and so significantly reduce this aerobic spoilage on the top and shoulders of your silage pit.

Quiet simply, using Clingseal will help to produce quality silage with less waste.

Remember it is the top sheet for the bottom line.

FARM Beef

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture The Greenhouse Gases & Animal Agriculture (GGAA 2013) conference in UCD, Dublin on Monday, 24 June.

The two interrelated global challenges of combating climate change and achieving food security were discussed by over 450 scientists from 45 different countries, at the Greenhouse Gases & Animal Agriculture (GGAA 2013) conference in UCD, Dublin on Monday, 24 June.

Opening the conference, Tom Hayes, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said that the Department remains committed to funding research in the area of agricultural greenhouse gases (GHG). In the period 2005 to 2012, approximately €20 million was committed to this area by the Department’s Research Stimulus Programme with the objective of building critical mass and expertise within the Irish research community and, most importantly, advancing the scientific knowledge base.

Minister Hayes said that the Department recognises the need for international collaboration and the need for all scientists to work together at a global level to strive for the scientific breakthroughs that will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions profile of the agri-food sector. In this regard, the Department of Agriculture has funded the Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Initia-

tive for Ireland under their 2010 Call. This network brings together all the principal researchers working in the area on the Island of Ireland, both North and South. “I know that this network, under the co-ordination of Teagasc, has established close working links with similar initiatives in the UK and New Zealand. Other international research initiatives such as the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases and the EU Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change will also provide opportunities to develop and enhance research cooperation over the coming years,” said Minister Hayes.

This conference on Greenhouse Gases & Animal Agriculture was the fifth in a series of conferences, the last of which was held in Banff, Canada in 2010. It was organised

by Teagasc and University College Dublin, and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the EPA and the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, and Ministry for Primary Industries.

Speaking at the Conference, Dr Frank O’Mara, Director of Research at Teagasc said that agriculture globally has an emis-

sions challenge. Improved efficiency can do a lot to reduce GHG emissions footprint, but there is also an urgent need to find breakthrough mitigation and adaption solutions.

Ireland has environmentally friendly grass-based feed production systems of dairy and beef production, which provides Ireland with a significant competitive advantage. It allows high quality food production with some of the lowest food carbon intensities at EU and global level, on a per unit produced basis. Sustainability is central to Ireland’s agricultural expansion plans as outlined in the Food Harvest 2020 report. It aims to achieve sustainable growth, through increased efficiency, achieving higher productivity and greater competitiveness in primary agriculture.

Teagasc recently produced a ‘Marginal Abatement Cost Curve’ for GHG emissions in Ireland, which demonstrates the potential impact of measures such as management, improved genetics and more efficient use of resources. “Teagasc has also developed a knowledge transfer tool called the ‘Carbon Navigator’ which can be used to give guidance to farmers on measures they can adopt to reduce their GHG emissions and improve profitability ,” said Dr O’Mara.

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FARM Dairy

by William Morris

Dairy Farming Today

“William Morris was runner-up in the young farmer of the year competition 2012. He is farming 86 spring milking cows and 15 maidan heifer” Its 9pm and I’ve just returned in from observation of the cows. Its day 45 of the breeding season and at this stage there is four young jersey bulls running with the herd to mop up.

While 4 bulls might seem excessive for a herd of 86 cows, id never trust a bull alone in a herd for fear of infertility, plus the way I see it, there’s safety in numbers. When things slow down the bulls entertain themselves.

Breeding has gone well so far despite the difficult spring endured. The planned start date was delayed a week to the 5th May (11th February calving) as I felt milk protein was too low at 3.25% for adequate conception and I also wanted the cows on a consistent diet so waited till ration feeding rates went below 3kgs. In effect it gave the herd an extra week to recover after calving and so far it looks to be paying off.

The 21 day submission rate was a disappointing 77% but after putting Cidr’s in 10 non cycling cows (cysts were found in 7 of them) the 42 day submission rate looked a more respectable 96% with only 3 lighter cows left.

My biggest surprise of the breeding season came when I looked at the 24 day non return rate which is at an alarmingly high 81%. Normally I’d be wondering if I was missing heats but with 4 bulls around and 5 checks a day I can’t see how that would be the case. It might be wise to get cows over 24 days scanned just to be on the safe side.

A week before the start of breeding the maiden heifers were brought home from the contract rearer’s and joined the milking herd for the breeding season. I find mixing the heifers in with the cows simplifies everything as you don’t have to be looking at two groups of animals and it’s easier to A.I them as they’re coming in at milking twice a day.

The bulls chosen this year were LIC bulls UPS (fr) HDS (frx) and KLK (je). Their average EBI is 221 with the usual high fertility and high solids but what I like about them as a team is that they have similar milk kgs all between 100 and 120kgs for milk. The mating programme is very simple, use the Friesian bull on the first cows, when he runs out the Friesian X is used and finally the Jersey on all the late calvers. I find this great for tightening up a calving season as the Friesian bull at the start will calve close enough to the 282 days while the jerseys can calf up to 14 days earlier which in turn shortens the calving season. It also gives late calvers an easy calving which gives them a great shot at calving earlier the following year.

After the rain of last week and the 20c of the last

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couple of days grass is ready to take off again.

On the last budget (late June) the farm was growing 59kgs with a cover/lu of 145. Grass is measured after every milk collection which is every 3 days, by doing this I find it easier to see pattern and links between the milk protein and the grass that’s being grazed. While it’s a bit of extra work I find it well worth it. First cut will be taken at the start of July as most of the ground had to be grazed 3 times this spring.

Cows are currently yielding 17.59 litres of milk which is well back on where it was this time last year but id put it down mainly to keeping them too tight back in April. It’s been holding at this level for the last 3 months now so if it

can stay around this level for another couple of months I’ll be more that happy and aim not to make the same mistake next year.

Fat has risen to 4.32% probably due to a little stem appearing in the paddocks while protein is slowing increasing and at 3.50% currently. The Kgsms/cow is 1.41 while scc is 143.

William Morris was runner-up in the young farmer of the year competition 2012. He is farming 86 spring milking cows and 15 maidan heifer on an adjusted grazing platform of 89 ha. Currently 23 acres taken out for 1st cut with a further 21 acres on outfarms saved for silage. He is supplying Drinagh co-op.

FARM Dairy

Ireland’s Booming Dairy Industry Could Lead to Superlevy Fine

As dairy prices soar to record heights and excellent weather conditions finally grace the country, there are fears that Ireland could face a super levy fine for exceeding its national milk quota this year.

The Irish Dairy Board’s purchase price index increased to 124.7 in May, triggering a farm gate price of 38 cents per litre. Irish Farmer’s Association Dairy Committee Chairman Kevin Kiersey said returns from average EU dairy product prices were continuing around 45 cents per litre before processing costs, which justified the major price increase in May by all coops.

“We have called on co-ops to consolidate April hardship bonuses into the base price and to add at least two cents per litre to that from May,” he said. “Kerry lifted their May milk price by 2.86 cents per litre to 36.26 plus VAT. Glanbia (then) announced a price lift of around 1.9 cents to 35.3 cents plus VAT, proving our argument that current market returns fully

justify a major base price increase from May.” Mr Kiersey said these EU dairy market prices and spot quotes saw little impact from the recent Fonterra auction price adjustments.

“The early June 2013 Fonterra prices, despite three consecutive adjustments, remain at 53 per cent above a year ago. Also, the auction results appear to have little impact on current commodity prices.

Early June average EU dairy product prices in Europe were stable at high levels of €3970 per tonne for butter, €3090 for SMP and €3670 for WMP.” Ireland’s price rise comes on top of recent favourable weather conditions and international calculations that suggest dairy markets are likely to remain strong through the rest of the year. But an increase in supplies as a result has led to fears that Ireland could exceed its national milk quota for 2013-14, right before the quota abolition in 2015. At the moment, all of the Irish co-ops are still running under quota, but a spokesman for one

By Carly Dolan

co-op told the Irish Independent that all the signs were pointing to it being over quota by the end of the year.

From 2015, the abolition will be welcome news to farmers, who are already preparing to increase their dairy herds and milk production. World demand for dairy products is expected to continue increasing due to global population growth and increases in per capita disposable income, especially in developing countries.

“The abolition of milk quotas in 2015 gives many dairy farmers scope to increase milk production for the first time in 30 years,” a spokesman for Ireland’s agriculture and food development authority, Teagasc, said. “(However), expansion in the dairy farm business should only be undertaken if it increases profit and provides a better lifestyle to the farm family.

When the EU milk quota is abolished, farm profitability will be dependent on maximising profit per hectare, such as stocking your farm to match grass supply.”

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FARM Dairy Expansion

by Stephen Dowling David & Sam

Fertility

From 2015, the dairy industry is set to make radical changes with the quota system being abolished.

This gives many farms the opportunity to expand without the worry of purchasing quota or fear of over production. Farm management and efficiency will become key factors in the development of the new look dairy industry which will reward farmers on their performance. Many key areas will need development such as facility, land, finances and cow numbers.

We here at Elite Bovine Genetics believe that fertility management is key, rewarding many farmers when a clear cut plan is implemented. Rapid expansion over the next two years for preparation will require excellent husbandry skills and herd management to improve your fertility management plans.

Recently, I took the time to speak with Sam and David Rose who own the Linnanagh Pedigree Holstein Herd. David and Sam are currently milking One Hundred and Twenty cows with a current milk quota of 150,000 gallons on two hundred and twenty acres, eighty of which is rented near Gorey, Co. Wexford. Their herd is split between Spring and Autumn calving with a herd average of 1900 gallon, fats of 3.7 and protein of 3.3 with the intention of growing the herd to three hundred post 2015. David describe their herd as a factory run business with the amount of cows they milk depending on the Super Levy, increasing the numbers when the year allows it or culling and selling cows aggressively when the super levy will be reached.

Currently they have put the foundations in place to allow for expansion. Planning for a new cubicle house (100ft - 300ft) has just been approved and other farm changes will be constructed around the new cubicle house with a four span shed for lame and freshly calved cows been constructed with other areas such calf housing also needing to be upgraded. David described their land as disadvantaged and limited amount of ground available within walking distance to rent, there only option for growing their herd to three hundred cows is to house cows on a full time basics.

With this high cost system David feels that herd husbandry, herd management, fertility management and input cost are monitored and managed on daily basics.

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One area that David and Sam take very seriously is fertility management, the Linnanagh herd is split between Winter and Spring calving, this means that they scan about three times a year with pre breeding, mid-season and post breeding scanning essential for excellent herd and fertility management. David believes that proper heat detection plays vital roles in expansion, having invested in monitoring the heat patterns of their cows using the Heat Time System. The Heat Time System allows for pre service heat detection which aids you in pre breeding scanning. Fertility efficiency plays a huge part in expansion, and detection aids such as the Heat Time system are like an addition labour unit on the farm. Fertility is a long standing battle on everyone’s farm and David’s is no exception, but running both a winter and spring herds tends to hide problems, but it the future focusing on fertility management as your most important breeding tool will reward you for your efforts.

Many areas of your business will require attention and evaluation when you look at expansion but remembering fertility management, when looking at on farm development will aid you greatly. Its best to bring it back to basics, remembering your herd health and care will aid your fertility management plans. If you are running a spring herd you should look at scanning your herd at least twice. Once pre breeding and again two monthsafter your last cow has been served. Using selective aid to best suit your herd is important, even do the heat detection system used by the Rose’s is very efficient and effective it isn’t cost effective in smaller herds. Aids such as teaser bulls and chin balls are very effective and cost efficient in any herd, allowing you easy visibility of cows and heifers on heat.

The Roses have a clear fertility management plan going forward. The main herd is scanned three times per year and Artificially Inseminated using conventional semen, AI bulls are selected using type and EBI to aid selection. The AI season starts on the 1st of December through to the 1st of April when the stock bull is used to mop up until early July. Their heat detection

system allows them to monitor cows on daily basics which reduce labours hours monitoring cows for heat. The heifers are Artificially Inseminated for nine weeks from the 15 of January. A teaser bull with a chin ball is used to identify heifers in heat and sexed semen is used to achieve mainly female pregnancies. All pregnancies are scanned before four months to identify foetal development, twins, age and sex.

Early pregnancy diagnostics allow for better management and future breeding decisions. Stock bull are fertility tested and feet paired and checked four weeks prior to been introduced into the herd.

Each farm should have a clear fertility management plan for their expansion requirements and remember a plan is only a clear when written on paper. This means righting it down so it’s clear to everyone what your requirements are moving forward, remembering these tips when implementing your fertility management plan.

1. Per-breeding and early pregnancy scanning diagnostics 2. Heat detection methods 3. AI bull selection 4. Stock bull fertility tests 5. Use of sex semen 6. Clear fertility management plan

FARM Forestry

Management Planning for Dairy Expansion

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FARM Dairy Expansion

Don Crowley Teagasc.

Dairy Expansion with the existing cow numbers and resources on the farm resources working better for you. There is no point expanding cow numbers until you have optimised your existing resources.

Milk Recording/Herd Plus:

With 2015 fast approaching, we are entering unknown territory, the freedom to produce without the restrictions of the quota regime.

Over the last 30 years herds have been managed according to quota limits which regularly impeded optimum performance of the Dairy herd. Many herds calving pattern were dictated by the quota year ending on the 31st of March rather than the calendar date of 31st of December as many farmers had more cows than their quota allowed. Over the years there has been a deficit of good quality replacements which has resulted in poor quality stock remaining in herds for far longer than should have been allowed.

In this article I will look at a number of key areas that many farmers can consider improving profitability and increasing output, without increasing cow numbers. This should result in no extra borrowing, in other words to get your existing

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To address any issue within your business you need information to accurately know where you stand at present and establish where you would like to be. If you are serious about improving the performance of your farm then milk recording and joining Herd Plus are a must. With these two pieces of information and your 5 star coop report which is issued a number of times per year then you can establish where you are relative to your peers and set targets of where you want to be. Herd plus will rank your cows enabling you to establish accurately which your poorest performing cows are. In many farms this information is available but it is not used or analysed.

Soil Sampling/Reseeding/Roadways/Drainage: Grass growth is a significant issue at farm level.

The full farm should be soil tested not based on area, a sample should be taken from each field so you can get value out of the result. You should soil sample your farm every 3 years.

The difference in grass production from index 1 P soils to index 3 P soils is 1.5 tDM/Ha, (the difference will feed a dry cow for winter) if lime and Potassium are limiting then the restriction is much greater. The lime requirement is the first element to be corrected. The lack of growth in spring and in autumn is a major restriction to production and efficient compact calving. By correcting soil fertility will enable significantly greater output from your farm thus increasing profitability. Develop a comprehensive reseeding program, while expensive you will get a full pay back within one season. Remember there is no restriction on lime or Potassium under nitrates.

We see many clients renting land and carrying the cost of this land while not optimising the block they have already, with some investment in roadways, drainage and reseeding can return a far superior financial return and it is at your door.

Compact Calving: Within a spring calving system compact calving is crucial to optimising profitability from grass.

There is a fear amongst a number of farmers about the potential work load with this scenario.

No such fear should exist; with a little bit of organising and improving facilities prior to start of calving will ensure no extra work. Sheep farmers have perfected this scenario and get excellent results as they ensure every thing is ready for that busy time. Your starting point is to have your bullying heifers big enough to calf at the start of calving. Join the ICBF heifer weighing program immediately. Heat detection using Tail Paint, Scratch Cards, vasectomised Bulls or a variation of these is crucial to achieving a good submission rate. A.I for 6 to 8 weeks

and ensure enough bull power to tidy up any repeats. A 13 to 14 week calving pattern should be aimed at, i.e. start 20th January and finish calving 21st April; this can only be achieved by having good quality High EBI heifers calving at the start of the calving period.

Long Lactation Off grass: This is the key to achieving optimum performance, with early grass from a good reseeding program and good soil fertility, will allow good supply of quality grass in the two shoulders of the year. For many farmers the lactation length of cows in a significant number of herds is to short, losing out on valuable high solids milk. The difference between a mid February calved cow and an mid April calved cow

is approx 100 kgs of milk solids, in present day value of €4.50/kg milk solid is €450 income.

Grass budgeting for spring and autumn is an essential tool. Spring rotation planner i.e. 30% grazed by end of February, 30% grazed by 17th March and 30% grazed by 5th to 10th April will get you through most scenarios. The autumn planner should run last rotation starting 10th October with 60% grazed by end of Oct to 1st week November and stretch remaining 40% until housed full time.

SCC: Milk quality is going to be a significant issue going forward. Recent work carried out by Dr Una Geary highlights the true cost of SCC/Mastitis.

46% of cost of mastitis is due to culling, 36% is due to loss in production, 10% is due to penalties incurred and 8% on treatment and Vet costs. Herds over 400,000 in SCC are losing up to 424 litres per cow per year, on a 50 cow herd this is 21,200 litres @ 35 cent per litre equates to €7,420 euro. The true cost of elevated SCC levels is totally under estimated at farm level.

Teagasc and Animal Health Ireland have a cell check cost planner which will evaluate what SCC is costing in your herd. Remember for every 100,000 drop in SCC you increase milk yield by 2.5 %, so the difference in performance between a 400,000 herd and 100,000 herds can be 7.5%. With milk recording, accurate culling, an aggressive dry cow program plus good milking practices will go a long way to correcting this issue.

There are many areas at farm level which can be tackled to optimise performance. We will have the shackles of quota removed in 2015, so the opportunity will be available to expand our output. The trick is to optimise you existing resources without accumulating excess debt before any expansion in cow numbers. The above points will offer significant opportunity to expand and improve farm profitability for the family farm.

FARM Pedigree

Helen Family to host IHFA Open Day in West Cork The IHFA National Open Day 2013 will be held on the Kilgarriffe herd of Richard, Marion and Mervyn Helen and family at Clonakilty, Co Cork on Tuesday, 16 July. A launch for this event showcasing Holstein Friesian breeding was hosted by the Helen family recently. IHFA President, John O’ Flynn, Chairman Richard Whelan and Chief Executive Charles Gallagher were joined by representatives from key sponsors, Greenvale, Lisavaird Co-Op and other associated sponsors, local dignitaries, members of the press, YMA, and members of the local Cork HF club at the launch.

years include Shottle, Oman, Seaver, Doberman, and Shout.

She was also five times Champion at the National Spring Fair and at Emerald Expo.

As one would expect grassland management on the farm is first class and 20% of the grassland is reseeded per annum. Grass is utilised fully in the herd’s diet. A high proportion of the feed required for their high yielding herd comes from grass, home grown forage (grass and maize silage), cereals (whole cropped or combined) and fodder beet. They do all their own machinery and forage work with the aid of only two part time workers.

Open Day

The Helen family have been farming at Kilgarriffe near Clonakilty in scenic West Cork since 1954. The total area farmed is 200 hectares, 70 of which are at Kilgarriffe. Richard and Marion took over the farm from Richard’s parents (Richard Senior and Bella) in 1982. However they remained actively involved in the farm for many years. All of the younger generation (Mervyn, Andrew, Wendy and Avril) have been actively involved on the farm since childhood, with Mervyn returning home to farm alongside Richard and Marion after completing a degree in agriculture at Bishop Burton, Yorkshire.

Award Winning Family

When Richard and Marion took over the farm the dairy herd was at 60 cows and the milking took place in a seven unit double up plant. Liquid milk is supplied to Clona Dairies and they also supply milk to Lisavaird Coop for cheese manufacture.

This autumn and spring calving herd (50:50) is now at 200 cows on a milking platform of 60 ha. Average yield last year was an impressive 9132kgs at 4.06% butterfat and 3.35%protein. There are 36EX, 102 VG and 60 GP classified cows in the herd. The Kilgarriffe herd of Holstein Friesians has won many awards at local and National shows. Bulls used in recent

The Helen family have won numerous awards in the Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders’ competition over the years.

These awards included First Place for the Best Family in the 2009 Premier Section.

In the 2010 Premier section they had the Second Place Best Calved Heifer and in the 1998 Premier/Elite Section they also won the Best Breeders Herd (Over 60 Cows category) for home bred cattle.

Mervyn represented Clonakilty in the Macra Dairy Stockjudging Finals in 2011 which was held at the IHFA Open Day in Wicklow. Richard has won many prizes through the years- in 2012 he won the Senior Stock Judging Cup presented by the Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club Avril was a member of the award winning Cork YMA team at the IHFA Open Day in 2010. She has been twice awarded Cork YMA Club Person of the Year. All the family compete regularly at the Cork Holstein Friesian Club field evenings Jerseys were purchased in 2005 as a hobby breed and Kilgarriffe is home of Braymeadow Junos Mickie EX94, the highest classified Jersey in the Republic.

IHFA Chief Executive, Charles Gallagher, said that the Open Day is “a major highlight” in the IHFA calendar of events. “It is recognised across the IHFA membership as an enjoyable social outing and an opportunity for breeders to meet up and discuss the topics of the day. Kilgarriffe, being a top class herd with first class management, using modern technology and services from IHFA, pedigree registration and classification is a fitting location for this year’s IHFA Open Day”.

IHFA President John O’Flynn, a fellow West Cork breeder of the renowned “Ryefarm” herd spoke enthusiastically about the feeling of pride in the locality for the Helen family hosting the Open Day. John said that he looked forward to meeting IHFA members from across the country at Kilgarriffe on July 16th. Chairman of the Cork club, Robert Shannon, said that it was an honour for the Helen family and for the Cork club that Kilgarriffe is host of the IHFA Open Day 2013. Robert said there was now a great sense of anticipation in the lead-up to July 16th.

The IHFA Open Day consists of Interclub stock judging and presentation of the National Herds Competition results.

Other presentations include the Gold and Diamond Awards for individual cow performance. Macra Na Feirme and the YMA (young members association), also host their stock judging on the day.

Everyone is welcome on 16 July.

The farm is located on the R588, three miles from Ballinascarthy off the N71 Clonakilty – Bandon road.

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FARM Forestry

Paul O’ Sullivan

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Ash

FARM Forestry

attack

Ireland’s response to Chalara Fraxniea Since the first case of ash dieback was discovered in October last year, Irish agriculture and forestry authorities have pursued a strategy of voluntary vigilance to contain the disease. For a disease affecting a tree species native to Ireland and known to scientists throughout Europe since the early 1990’s, some feel these measures are insufficient.

aspects of the disease. These meetings provided information on ranging from biological cycles and identifying symptoms of the disease to repercussions on REPS and AESOS payments. Importantly, a grant of €1500 is available for every hectare of ash destroyed, with further grants for replanting without any claw-back on premiums.

Since it was first recognised in Poland in 1992, Chalara Fraxniea has swept throughout Continental Europe, ravaging up to ninety-percent of ash plantations in Denmark. Governments have highlighted the conflicting priorities of European plant health and free trade regulations. Scientific authorities have yet to pin down the true nature of the disease.

‘In fairness to forestry services they have been throwing resources and working closely with the private sector,’ says Donal Whelan, Technical Director of The Irish Timber Growers Association, who compares the potential effects dieback to the foot-and-mouth crisis. ‘Although mature ash is less susceptible, the disease only arrived in the UK in March last year and has already got to native trees. Hedgerow ash would be a natural corridor for the disease. Reporting it is in the national interest.’

‘There are reports from France that the spores travelled as far as 100km, but these have yet to be verified,’ a Teagasc scientist told a Naas audience attending one of Teagasc’s nationwide information sessions.

This answer was in response to a question whether the disease had reached the UK by winds blowing from the Continent. Elements weren’t required for the disease to reach the island of Ireland.

Blamed on seedling plants imported from the Netherlands, the first reported case in the Republic was confirmed last October in Leitrim with the number rising to 85, equating to 535 hectares for destruction.

Authorities in the Republic and Northern Ireland have liaised to produce the draft version of the All-Ireland Chalara Control Strategy. In the Republic, Statutory Instrument 411 and 431 provide secondary legislation for reporting the disease. All documents strongly stress the importance of cooperation from foresters, farmers and landowners.

‘Because of the nature of the disease we’re aiming at cooperation measures rather than strict rules and regulations,’ a Teagasc employee told GrassRoots Magazine.

During May, Teagasc held 22 evening information sessions nationally to discuss

‘It’s not good enough,’ says Tony Lowes, co-director of Friends of the Irish Environment (FOIE). ‘This disease has known to exist for over 20 years. Ash is a native species of Ireland, but because of its relatively low economic value, compared to sitka spruce say, it isn’t deemed important.’

I think that it is also a mistake not to identify the garden centres and nurseries which were affected by this disease,’ says Caroline Lewis of FOIE. ‘At least if customers knew that they had purchased suspect stock they could either keep a close watch on the trees or destroy them - I appreciate commercial sensitivity but am not sure if this should override the public interest in trying to eliminate the disease.’

In the UK, a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) application named Ashtag allows the general public to upload images using software widely available to the public, such as mobile phones, has been implemented to help monitor the disease. The Draft Control Strategy states: This “ready-to-use system” has been successful in Britain and DARD (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – Northern Ireland) and DAFM will meet those operating the scheme and assess

whether AshTag or a similar scheme is appropriate for the island of Ireland.

Having previously collaborated with UCC on a satellite map of exposed peatlands in Ireland, Mr. Lowes recognises the importance of technological applications in such situations.

‘It really is the only way forward for these types of problems where data is crucial, and these are the best ways of managing data. But there is a real reluctance in government departments to use these.’

Currently, approximately 80,000 hurls a year are manufactured using native Irish ash. A development plan by the GAA to meet domestic demand for hurley production by 2017, which is thought to be 350,000, is on target.

‘We’re watching this closely. I’ve visited ash plantations and if it gets in here we’re in serious trouble,’ says T.J Larkin, the third-generation of his family to manage ash plantations for hurley production in East Galway. Other manufacturers, however, aren’t so concerned. ‘It’s not really affecting us. We import most of our ash anyway,’ says John O’ Connor, employee at O’ Connors, Ballyhea in North Cork.

‘The only real difference is because of the extra preparation, the drying and debarking, it’s putting about €2 on every plank.

The customer isn’t seeing the difference yet, but if it continues they’ll start to see a rise in price.’

In the season when symptoms of dieback are most noticeable authorities are ramping up efforts for all concerned to promote public awareness and encourage people to report any immediately to forestry services. Restrictions to limit the amount of spore transportation in leaf litter in the coming autumn and winter will depend on this summer’s findings. Further along, a timeframe for lifting the importation ban of ash that hasn’t been debarked or dried, or both, is unknown.

‘It’s a fluid situation,’ a Teagasc spokesperson said, ‘we’re not sure exactly when it will end.’

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FARM Forestry

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FARM Forestry

T8 Series

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FARM Machinery

Tractor range New Holland’s flagship T8 Series tractor range has been further enriched with the introduction of the renowned AutoCommand continuously variable transmission.

New Holland’s flagship T8 Series tractor range has been further enriched with the introduction of the renowned AutoCommand continuously variable transmission.

The new range-topping T8.420 develops an impressive maximum 419 hp with engine power management making it the world’s most powerful CVT tractor.

The T8 series is considering the first agricultural crossover. The design incorporates a long wheelbase for stability, a quiet and spacious cab with great all-round visibility, great maneuverability and a stylish look.

New Holland launched the AutoCommand transmission in the T8 range at Cereals 2013, which was held in the UK in early June. The AutoCommand transmission has been has tailored to perfectly match its dimensions and usage profile. It uses intuitive force-based logic and is controlled via the ergonomic CommandGrip handle, identical to that found on T7 AutoCommand models.

The four modes of operation known from T7 AutoCommand — Auto, Cruise, PTO and Manual — provide the same flexibility to optimize task or fuel efficiency. All transmission functions are grouped in one place for a smooth seamless application of power: if working in Auto mode, the operator simply selects the desired working speed, and the AutoCommand will adjust the engine speed and transmission settings to achieve the most efficient performance.

The T8 AutoCommand features four points of optimized efficiency where the transmission drives through a full mechanical connection. These points have been engineered by design to correspond to the most frequently used operating speeds.

Whether you need a speed for planting, tillage, baling or road transport, T8 AutoCommand can deliver.

for businesses that undertake extensive transport activities.

All T8 Auto Command models benefit from an increased wheelbase, improving stability and traction: units fitted with standardduty rear axle by 500 mm versus equivalent current models, while T8.420, fitted with the new heavy-duty 5” bar axle, by 1000 mm versus Ultra Command models.

The wheelbase of 3550 mm in total, is a full 14% longer than the nearest competitor, yet T8 tractors still deliver staggering turn performance.

Available in 25 mph ECO and 31 mph options, customers can reach top speeds at lower engine speeds if loads permit (1400 rpm and 1725 rpm respectively), ideal

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FARM Forestry

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FARM Machinery

Contractor Profile Mark Troy

Mark Troy is a well known contractor operating in West Cork. GrassRoots Magazine caught up with him midst his busy silage season to find out about the operation he is running.

Images are by CorkMachine Videos.

What led you to become a contractor?

The contracting business was started by my father approx 40 years ago in the very early seventies. He started whilst running a farm for a school and began to do some silage cutting for neighbours to help pay for the machinery for the school. When the school gave up farming he started contracting full time in partnership with a local guy who pulled out after a few years.

What was the first tractor you drove?

The first tractors were an international 574 and a 674 which were bought together in 1974. The 674 is still in the business and drew silage until approx 1998. This was the first tractor I drove myself when I was 16.

What contracting activities do you do?

The main areas of work are silage, maize setting, harvesting and wholecrop. We also grow approx 300 acres of grain and maize, with the maize grown on contract for local farmers and some of the grain for wholecrop. I also do ploughing, reseeding, grain setting and harvesting, slurry and sub soiling.

What machinery is in your yard?

We have 3 tractors, a Massey 6480 & 6485, a Fendt 820. There is a Big M 420, Claas 970 harvester, JCB 436 loader, two International Axial Flow combines, Cat 910 loader and various trailers and implements including 8 silage trailers, 2 power harrows, maize seeders, sub soiler, plough, etc.

What has been your favorite machine that you have owned?

My favorite machine is the Claas 970 as it is well on top of its job, very reliable and has great dealer back up. Also it is very easy to operate on long days without driver fatigue and so easy to adapt from grass to wholecrop or maize in a matter of minutes.

If money was no object, what would you buy?

If money was no object I would have all Fendts to do the work as they are very easy for the drivers to operate, very economical on fuel and have excellent traction, but are too expensive to have more than one in the fleet.

What was your worst and best buys?

The worst machine in recent times was a Case 8790 forage harvester, which was very unreliable and in the end we had two machines to try and get through the work. This was bought in 1999. In 2002 we changed to Claas forage harvesters and have been very pleased since. These have been the best purchases and we have been so pleased that we are now on our tenth Claas forage harvester, a single engine 970.

In the old days the worst buy was a Hesston field queen harvester bought in the late seventies. Again it gave very unreliable service which resulted in a lot of lost work back then.

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Machinery Briefs

AramTrac heading for Ireland The coming months will see the launch of the ArmaTrac tractor brand across Ireland.

Manufactured by Erkunt Tractor Industry Inc in Turkey, the models on offer should be of interest to livestock farmers wanting a versatile tractor, capable of carrying out yard work, grassland management and feeding operations.

The ArmaTrac 1004 has a rating of 102 horsepower: the equivalent figure for the 1104 model is 113 horsepower. Both models will come with a pickup hitch as standard: the inclusion of an ArmaTrac front end loading shovel will be an optional extra with both models.

As a company, Erkunt has a history stretching back over 60 years. The business was initially established to supply cast metal parts to the Turkish construction and automotive sectors.

In the Nineties, the business became the strategic partner of some of the world’s most influential automotive companies – including CAT Group, AGCO Sisu Diesel, Volvo, Cummins, Perkins, IVECO, Valtra, MAN, Deutz, and ZF. Today, Erkunt employs a workforce of 1500, and serves its customers with its two foundries and two machine shops.

New trailed sprayer from John Deere John Deere has added the new 5200-litre R952i sprayer to its trailed range, to meet the demand for a high capacity machine in this tank size.

more efficient and more profitable. A wide choice of durable steel spray booms from 24 to 40m is available, fitted with BoomGuard anti-yaw suspension.

Like its bigger stablemate, the 6200-litre R962i model launched in 2011, the R952i features a low-profile, compact design and a low centre of gravity, to provide optimum stability under all spraying conditions.

The optional BoomTrac system provides perfect boom stability during spraying, by measuring the actual boom height 50 times a second and comparing this with the target height. When a difference occurs, BoomTrac automatically adjusts the spray boom height and boom tilt angle to ensure the optimum boom position, whether spraying in the field or turning at the headland.

This high specification machine is equipped as standard with a number of intelligent and automated features designed to make spraying easier, more accurate,

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FARM Forestry FARM Forestry

Forestry FARM Forestry

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William Wills 086 4664488 or williamwills@grassrootsmag.ie

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FOOD Festivals

Kenmare Food Carnival “Kenmare has always been at top of its game when it comes to food so once again from July 12th-14th it is set to throw open its doors again” Kenmare has always been at top of its game when it comes to food so once again from July 12th-14th it is set to throw open its doors for the second ‘Kenmare Food Carnival’. The Carnival aims to celebrate all things food related and showcase the best of what Kenmare has to offer in a ‘Carnival’ atmosphere making sure there’s enough food and fun for everyone.

Based on last year’s overwhelming success, organisers are adding a few new events to the jam packed programme which includes our Kenmare Food Carnival food themed parade by Sligo based Work House Arts Studio and a Mardi Gras party in The Green on the opening evening. Entertainment will be provided by The Rhythm Corporation with their Samba style Rhythm and dance troop and The Ohno! Jazz Band is being flown in from Holland to help create the ‘Carnival’ atmosphere over the weekend with their cool impromptu style of music. BBQ Joes will provide food for the evening with all proceeds going to Kenmare Food Carnival.

Celebrity chefs are in town too, Derry Clarke and Rozanne Stevens are lined up for cookery demonstrations among many others and a first ever cookery ‘demo and dine’ on Kenmare Bay on board Seafari. Kevin Aherne of Sage Restaurant in Midleton with his ‘Ocean to Plate’ ‘12 mile style’ of cooking is lined up for that event. Marie Power, who has released a book called The Sea Gardener, will host an event which entails an early morning cruise to Dromquinna Pier and forage on the shore.

Back by popular demand is the Artisan Food Market, Taste Trail, Cookery Demonstration Theatre which this year will focus on the talents of local chefs with a few invited guests. The Drinks Quarter will be a bustling area where talk and tastings will take place around craft beers, ciders,

For bookings and information visit www.kenmarefoodcarnival.com Twitter @kenmarefoodcarn and on Facebook.

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whiskey, wine & sherry. The very popular show by Susan Boyle called ‘A Wine Goose Chase’ will also take place over the weekend.

There will be chefs tables, foraging, talks by local food producers on their business and for the kiddies ‘Little Foodies’ is back with workshops, puppet shows. Cork Circus will bring their Tutti Frutti show which is a circus style act based around local produce and there will of course have the retro style Carnival with Helter Skelter to keep them smiling for a long time!

And if all of this isn’t enough there is always ‘Kenmare Food Carnival’ Cookbook ‘Loving Food.....Loving Kenmare!’ to get you through the winter months with a selection of recipes from local chefs and some from last year’s demos.

a n i W ook

B y r e Cook petition ssroots Com

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rules apply.

the r o f s e t a d e t are th a h W : n o ti s nival? r Que a C d o o F e ar 2013 Kenm

Kenmare and food have been synonymous for decades and Kenmare has always been at the top of the food game.

Kenmare Food Carnival organisers commissioned the Kenmare Food Carnival Cookbook called ‘Loving Food...Loving Kenmare’. This gorgeous little Cookbook features over 40 recipes from Kenmare’s well known chefs. It features ‘Light Bites’ ‘Tasty Mains’ and ‘Sweet Treats’’ which have been carefully selected to make this book very user friendly where all the recipes are easy to prepare at home.

The best news of all is this little star of a book is very reasonably priced at €9:95 and is a must read for both the amateur and professional chef alike.

If you want to win your copy, answer the question below.

Question. What are the dates for the 2013 Kenmare Food Carnival?

Send your answers on a post card or by email. info@grassrootsmag.ie (subject - Kenmare) Post - Kenmare Cookery Competition, Grassroots Magazine, Ballinoe Hse, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork.

Grassroots Competition rules apply

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n Salad Vietnamese Chicke e world, there is a pes from around th ci re up g in ok lo ve ious recipes from I lo d taste all the glor an el av tr to e m in out using some want This salad came ab ts. en in nt co nt re etnam. the diffe e with flair from Vi m ho m fro s nt ie ed ck pepper basic ingr • Sea salt and bla •

Serves 2

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• 3 shallots i deseeded • Half a red chill granulated sugar • 1 tablespoon of orns • 3-4 black pepperc ar • 100ml rice vineg uce oyster sauce/fish sa • 3 tablespoons of fillet • 1 large chicken Method

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ite cabbage Quarter head of wh 1 large carrot A few sprigs of mint iander A small bunch of cor salted peanuts A small handful of

large mortar and lots, add them to a al sh e th op Grind ch y sel r and black pepper.

Peel and coar chilli and the suga d pe wl op bo ch e rg th la wi a g to on pestle al sfer this mix d is dispersed. Tran ui liq d e. an t sid sof e til on it un uce. Set to vinegar and fish sa and stir in the rice pper. Grill it son with salt and pe sea d an oil th wi let side making sure Brush the chicken fil out 6-8 mins either ab for at he ding igh /h with your fingers fin under a medium to cool then shred low Al h. ug ro th it is cooked the natural grain. take to fine matchsticks, d chop the carrot in an e e th ag d bb ad ca e en th th Finely shred s thoroughly lthe vinegar mix, tos sa to al rm ese th no d a d Ad ul e. your tim , toss like you wo ves lea er nd s. ria ut co , ped pean chicken, mint leaves tter of roughly chop and top with a sca ad until combined

Food Home Cooking

Summer Berry, White Chocolate and Rum Crum ble This is a beautif ul simple desse rt with fresh fla longing for mor vours that will e. leave you Even without th e crumble topp ing this is beau about 8 minut tiful done in th es and served wi e oven for th ice-cream it is superb and sim ple!

Serv

es 4: • 300g straw berries • 150g raspbe rries • 150g bluebe rries • 150g eatin g white chocolat e • A sprinkle of white rum (opti onal and amou • nt is optional) • For the crum ble: • 150g plain flour • 75g butter • 75g soft brow n sugar • A half a teas poon of cinnam on • 50g choppe d almonds

Find out more:

www.thesustainablelarder.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/CalsoCooks

Method Wash the fruit, hull and halve the strawberrie s.

Preheat oven at 180°c. Pour the Roughly chop th prepared fruit into a suitable e white chocolat sized oven dish e and add over if using. . the fruit and ad d a splash of ru m For the crumbl e, place the flour into a mixing ing in with your bowl, cube the hands until it butter and add resembles fine br namon and al mixeadcrumbs. Sti monds and stir r in the sugar, until well combi cinned.

Sprinkle over th e topping and bake in the oven crumble is gold for about 20 m en brown and inutes or until bubbling arou nd the edges. the Serve with fresh whipped cream or ice-cream.

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FOOD Home Cooking

The Benefits of Goat’s Milk Goat’s milk is a very healthy alternative to cow’s milk, especially when it is organic. Goats produce about 2% of the global milk supply and it is interesting that most of the populations of people who consume goat milks have a significantly lower incidence of allergies and digestive complaints.

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Some research suggests that one of the main benefits of goat milk is that it may hold anti-inflammatory capacities.

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Goat’s milk is a great option for people who want to lose weight.

It has less fat, but still maintains the high levels of proteins and essential amino acids found in cow’s milk.

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Another main health benefit of goat’s milk is that it is closer to human mother’s milk than cow’s milk is. Because it has a chemical make-up that is much closer to human milk, it is easier to digest in the human body and therefore is very suitable for children.

While cow’s milk has about seventeen percent fatty acids, goat’s milk averages thirty five percent fatty acids, making it more nutritionally wholesome. In fact, up to 50% of people with lactose intolerance to cow’s milk find that they can easily digest goat’s milk, especially if it is raw.

Many people worry that they need to drink cow’s milk for calcium intake and the prevention of bone loss. Goat’s milk also offers high amounts of calcium, the amino acid tryptophan, and much less side effects of drinking cow’s milk.

Goat’s milk has the trace mineral, selenium, a key essential mineral in keeping the immune system strong and functioning correctly.

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and goats cheese Beetroot, baby spinach salad 2 tbs lemon juice gin olive oil 1/3 cup (80ml) extra vir rd 1 tsp wholegrain musta

leaves bout 70g) baby spinach 2 firmly packed cups (a ghly t-leaf parsley leaves, rou 1/2 firmly packed cup fla chopped

450g baby beetroot crumbled 100g soft goat’s cheese, lnuts 3/4 cup (75g) toasted wa Step one

in mustard olive oil and wholegra ce, jui on lem the isk Wh t and pepSeason to taste with sal together in a small bowl. per.

Step Two

a large and chopped parsley in ves lea ch na spi the ce Pla garnish. tablespoons of parsley to bowl, reserving about 2 d toss well. the spinach mixture an to ing ess dr the lf ha d Ad large bowl g plates (or leave in the Divide among 4 servin cheese and r with beetroot, goat’s tte sca n the ), ed sir de if remaining ish the salad with the toasted walnuts. Garn d serve imremaining dressing an the th wi le izz dr ey, rsl pa mediately.

FARM Forestry

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39

FOOD Artisan Producers

The Good “This is where goats ramble around, ducks come for feeding, calves, pigs, donkeys and horses graze in paddocks around the farm.“ You can experience ‘The Good Life’ any day between Easter and Halloween at Loughbeg Open Farm, near Schull, Co. Cork. This is where goats ramble around, ducks come for feeding, calves, pigs, donkeys and horses graze in paddocks around the farm.

It is a scenic part too; visitors can take a lovely walk up the hill and see the Fastnet Rock, Cape Clear, Brow Head, Dunmanus Bay, Sheeps Head and back towards Mount Gabriel.

The farm is also home to the famous Loughbeg Farm ice cream and cheese which is made from their goat’s milk.

Walter and Josephine Ryan-Purcell relocated to the farm with their two sons, Jack and Tom, from Churchtown in North Cork eight years ago. Now they milk seven goats each morning and make the ice cream and cheese.

They have a large vegetable garden growing courgettes, leeks, salads, kales, carrots, onions, and a greenhouse with tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. This year they are growing a new crop called ‘cucamelons, which originates in South

40

America and looks like a little melon but tastes like cucumbers and lime. Apparently they are great in fruit salads.

Their Courgette and Ginger Jam has been described as ‘the find of the week at Skibbereen Market’ by Darina Allen, this is also made on Loughbeg Farm. ‘It’s the best jam ever’ is how some regular customers describe it as they enjoy it on meat dishes, ice cream, cheese and biscuits.

Walter tells us “Some have it with their full Irish breakfast or on their porridge with yoghurt.”

“Down here you have to do a little bit of everything to make a living” explains Walter. In May they took over Schull Garden Centre in the middle of the village. It has expanded to include the Mizen Market with Harbour Bay Flowers florist, lots of garden furniture, food, bric-a-brac, and has become a great new music venue.

If you want to try the Purcells’ produce, you can buy all the delicious Loughbeg Farm Products when you visit the farm. They are also available at Bantry, Skibbereen and Schull markets, the Mizen Market in Schull, Centra, Schull and Fields SuperValu, Skibbereen.

The only other places outside West Cork to find Loughbeg Farm Courgette & Ginger Jam and Chutneys is at Select Stores in Dalkey, County Dublin but it can be ordered online from www.westcorkhampers.com .

In the Autumn Loughbeg Farm, along with other West Cork Food producers, plan to have a new stall at The English Market in Cork City under the name ‘Fresh from West Cork’. All of these tasty foods from the region will then be available for all in Cork City. You can check out Loughbeg Farm on facebook or on www.loughbegfarm.com or find out ‘What’s on in West Cork’ on www.westcorkcampus.com Loughbeg Farm is called after Loughmore in Tipperary, which was featured in last month’s GrassRoots magazine. All the Purcell’s originated from there in the 1400’s. On the 29th of September this year the first ever Purcell Gathering takes place in Loughmore, and all from Loughbeg Farm will be there. At GrassRoots, we have discovered that when it comes to good food there is always a connection.

FARM Forestry

FARM Forestry

Life

and Good Food in Loughbeg

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41

Food Artisan Producers

by Carly Dolan

Organic Goat Cheese Awarded Best Irish Cheese in 2013

Organic cheese maker Siobhan Ni Ghairbhith, of St Tola Organic Goat Cheese, has noticed an increase in interest from Irish people about what they are eating and where their food comes from.”

in the fridge

products

The organic farm in Inagh, south of the Burren in County Clare won top prize at this year’s prestigious Irish Cheese Awards held at Bloom festival in early June for the St Tola Ash log goat cheese, which is rolled in vegetarian food grade charcoal.

“Rolling the cheese log while it’s fresh preserves the unique citrus and slightly acidic flavours of the cheese,” Ms Ni Ghairbhith said.

“We have only been making this cheese since February 2012 and it won gold in the New Cheese category before going on to win Supreme Champion. We were thrilled really as it is difficult to find a niche for a new product.”

There were a total of 45 awards during the competition in 15 categories that were judged by an expert panel of leaders in the Irish cheese industry. They included head buyer of the Avoca Group, Elaine O’Connor, and renowned chefs, Dónal Skehan and Darina 42

Allen. The St Tola Ash Log was chosen as the overall champion out of more than 120 cheeses.

The Irish Cheese Awards are firmly established as the major event on the country’s cheese industry calendar. They celebrate the excellence and variety of cheeses produced here, which have been successful both at home and abroad. The cheese sector in Ireland is bucking the trend and experiencing growth in the industry.

St Tola makes a range of cheeses at its 300-goat organic farm in the west of Ireland. Most are chevrestyle soft cheeses; however, it also produces hard cheeses and some Greek styles.

“Our methods of cheese making come from traditional recipes and all the cheeses are handmade on a daily basis to keep quality high,” Ms Ni Ghairbhith said. “Organic is a legal term – all our feed for the goats must be certified organic.

None of the land is treated with artificial fertilisers and all the methods used in the cheese house must adhere to organic rules.”

The farm’s goat herd includes a mixture of Saanen, Toggenburg and British Alpine breeds, which are housed indoors during winter and fed a mixture of forage from the land along with organic feed.

During summer, they are outdoors, feeding on the herb-rich grass of the property’s organic pasture land.

“Over the last five years, we have seen a definite increase in interest and awareness from the general public about where their food comes from and what they are eating,” Ms Ni Ghairbhith said. “Since the boom ended, feedback has been that people want more local goods made by smaller companies. However, the recession has meant that there is less money about.”

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Siobhan ni Ghairbhith

FARM Forestry

Victoria Deane

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The Goat’s

FOOD Smallholdings

beard small holdings

One of the most rewarding and satisfying ways of enjoying the outdoors is to run your own small holding.”

With the beautiful (albeit brief) weather we have experienced since our last issue of GrassRoots , everyone is looking for a good excuse to get their own piece of the great outdoors. One of the most rewarding and satisfying ways of enjoying the outdoors is to run your own small holding.

This can be anything from a back garden to a small acre farm. You can spend your time out in the garden tending to the vegetable patch or feeding your sow who is about to give birth to her first litter of bonhams. If you have children or grandchildren it is a great experience for them to be a part of too. Firstly for the life lessons they will learn, the sense of responsibility they get from helping out with the chores and also for the lovely memories they will make from spending quality time with you.

This month we will be discussing the advantages (and disadvantages) of having goats on your small holding. You must register for a herd number if you’re keeping goats, and they must be tagged (usually on the ear). To get a herd number, you will have to have at least 1.5 acres of land, which makes sense as you will need this much to keep them on anyway. Wherever you are keeping your goats you will need to make sure it is well fenced and secure as goats have a reputation firstly for escaping, and then eating everything in sight! This will not be appreciated if you have flowers or any vegetables growing.

The next thing you need to decide is what breed of goat you would like to keep. This will be very much dependent on what purpose you want your goat for. The most obvious choice would be to have a milking goat.

There are many benefits to drinking goat’s milk and it will prove a very rewarding experience to watch your own goat produce the milk. Please see our goat’s milk article in this issue for more information on these benefits.

There are many different breeds of goats.

Some of the more popular ones would include Saanens, Alpine, Anglo Nubian and Toggenburg. Saanens are one of the top producers of the dairy breeds. They are a white or cream-colored breed of goat named after Saanen Valley in Switzerland.

They are considered a very docile breed of goat and are suitable to have around children. They can produce two - three gallons per day however, most will average one and a half gallons per day.

Alpines are multi-coloured and have no set markings. They have upright ears and have a dish-face. They originated in the French Alps. Alpine goats can range in colour from white or grey to brown and black. Alpine goats are great milking goats . They are also a good choice because they are hardy animals that thrive in any climate while maintaining good health and excellent production, providing at least 1 gallon per day.

Anglo Nubian goats were developed in Great Britain by combining native milking stock and goats from the Middle East and North Africa.Their characteristics include large, floppy ears and a Roman nose. Due to their Middle-Eastern heritage, AngloNubians can live in very hot climates and have a longer breeding season than other dairy goats. Considered a dairy breed, Anglo-Nubians are known for the high butterfat content of their milk, although on average, the breed produces less milk than other dairy breeds.

Finally there is the Toggenburg. These goats are named after the region in Switzerland where the breed originated, the Toggenburg valley. They are impressive milkers, pumping out 2 gallons or more each day. They vary from light fawn to dark chocolate in colour. They have distinct white markings such as white ears with dark spot in middle, and two white stripes down the face from above each eye to the muzzle.

This of course is just a selection of some of the more popular breeds. Goats have many other uses. They can be used for breeding, eating, milking (as mentioned above)and sometimes even just to tidy up some overgrown area of your garden!

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FARM Forestry

by Jackie W.B

46

Gardeners

Food Grow Your Own

Year

A Novices Guide To Fruit And Veg

“Herbs-Use and Delight. Herbs are wonderful for a gardener’s ego. You can grow something really useful and delicious.”

Herbs are wonderful for a gardener’s ego.

You can grow something really useful and delicious even if you only have a kitchen windowsill, and a quick glance around your property will reveal a great many spots where herbs will grow happily- even if other plants may not.

Let’s start with the four main culinary herbs, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Parsley it has to be said does like a deep fertile, well cultivated soil, but the other three being of Mediterranean origin will do best on much drier, poorer and less fertile soils. So the base of walls, as long as they are sunny, are an ideal spot.

Thyme in particular cannot abide having its roots wet, so whether you grow it in a container or directly into the soil, put loads of grit or fine gravel into your compost to ensure quick, sharp drainage. It is always a mistake to add fertiliser to herbs, in the wild they grow in poor arid soils, so fertiliser makes them grow too lush which in turn weakens the stem and causes them to lack in flavour.

There is simply no comparison to the glorious taste of fresh herbs in cooking. Using the dried varieties is, to my mind, a waste of time- any chef will tell you the same.

In addition to the four culinary mainstays mentioned you should also grow mint.

There are two varieties for household use: spearmint which is bright green.

This is sold in pots in the veg section of your supermarket and is for cooking and sauces. Black peppermint can be bought in your local garden centre and is a much darker green with purple undersides to the leaves. This is for medicinal use, herbal teas and the likes.

All mints should always be grown in containers. They are very invasive plants, give them their heads and you will shortly find your garden grows nothing but mint!

Simple remedies for minor ailments

Herbal Medicine is every bit as complicated, if not more so, than the conventional variety. Therefore you should never attempt herbal cures without professional advice for any complaint whatsoever.

There are however some very simple things you can try for those little irritations of daily life. For these we have what we call the “sovereign herbs” whose effect is so gentle they should not cause any problem in use and can be used safely alongside conventional medicines but are remarkably effective. For this article we will look at three: lemon balm(also known as Melissa mint) and lavender(note: all the herbs here are used in infusion form, that is a few leaves/flower heads are steeped in boiling water and drunk as a tea) No woman should be without a plant or two of lemon balm(Melissa) in her garden.

Of all the herbs that grow there is none safer or more effective for those ‘monthly complaints’ that most of us are subject to go through most of our adult lives. It eases cramps, helps digestive upset and sickness, calms headaches, cools hot flushes and is said to lower cholesterol and help with minor depression. It also tastes nice a lovely fresh, lemony flavour.

As with all herbs, the fresh picked variety tends to be more effective than dried, but lemon balm does grow from April to November in this country and on any kind of soil. Once you plant it you will have it forever.

bigger showier flowers but they don’t do well in our climate and don’t have as high a concentration of lavender oil which is the most important bit. This herb is mainly used externally. A few drops of the aromatherapy oil(widely available) is wonderfully relaxing and distressing in the bath and a little hand sewn sachet of the dried flowers under your pillow really helps insomnia. The taste when taken as a tea may not be to everyone’s liking but it is good for headaches, hangovers, nervousness, insomnia and stress.

Drying herbs for winter use is a good idea if you follow a few simple rules. Always pick herbs on a dry, sunny day. Divide into small bunches and hang in a dry airy place for a couple of weeks until crisp to touch.

No moisture, steam or humidity must be present or they will go mouldy and will not keep. Discard any that do have mould and store the rest in airtight containers. They do not retain their properties for more than a couple of months so discard any left in the spring and prepare a new batch from the following summer’s harvest. Growing and using just a few simple herbs from your own garden could just be the start of a life-long and life-enhancing interest!

Next month: Slugs and Snails, the bane of every gardeners life.

Mint as mentioned earlier in the culinary section is a wonderful herb for digestive upsets. In regular use it is also said to enhance brain power, concentration and general alertness.

Lavender is one of the oldest and best known of the household herbs with a great many uses. If you are growing it for herbal use choose the ‘English’ varieties over the French kind. The latter may have

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FARM Forestry

The Celtic

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Food Grow Your Own

‘Tiger’ Worm The Celtic Worm Company was established in the hills of west Cork by a group of farmers, who were looking to diversify in difficult economic times.

Teaming up with a local worm farmer and supported by WCDP and Cork County Council, the farmers have set up a “Conversion Plant” outside Bantry, where composted farmyard manure and de-watered slurry is fed to specially bred tiger worms and transformed into products that literally put the life back into the earth.

They are making unique, wormcast enriched products for gardens, horticulturalists and for farms. The “Celtic Gold” range works as a bio-stimulant, so it encourages underground life to regenerate; particularly land that has become depleted of any beneficial life such as farmlands that have been using chemical fertilisers for years.

“Celtic Gold Multi-Purpose Probiotic Compost” is not only compost, but a soil enhancer. Trials done at UCC have shown that 10% wormcast added to compost can increase growth by over 100%. These bags contain the essential 10 % addition of wormcast in the mix which keeps the life force going in the bag.

Vicki calls it “The quiet revolution” as, through seeing the effects of the wormcast products, farmers and gardeners have developed a profound admiration for the humble worm. This in turn has led to increased respect for the worms on the land and changes in farming methods in order to protect them, and encourage them to breed up again.

worm farmer Dan Grubert

“The Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra, knew about the importance of worms to the fertility of her nation, thousands of years ago; it’s about time that we do something about it!” states Vicki.

“Our next product we will have out soon is Liquid Gold. This bio-stimulant plant feed, will keep the life force topped up for plants to thrive in. When we are producing enough, it will also be available for farmers to use as a natural fertiliser.”

what is being done within the local area and are keen to support the enterprise.

Celtic Gold can be found in leading garden centres and creameries in Munster or ordered online at www.celticworm.com.

When these are used as a top dressing in garden beds or in pots, it can not only help to optimise growth, but can also help the plants to be strong and healthy as all the beneficial bacteria are stimulated by the mix which then in turn, transforms the growing medium for the plants, vegetables and trees.

Dan Grubert has been worm farming for over 8 years, and after seeing the results of using wormcast/worm juice in their gardens, he and his partner, Vicki Plant, teamed up with neighbouring farmers and UCC, to create the company.

Other farming families in the area have become shareholders, so the collective now has forty families involved in it.

Some of the shareholders are not even farmers, they have seen the benefit of

49

HOBBIES Fishing

by Paul O’Sullivan

Troubled

“For the holders of rights angling is a lucrative game. Increasing syndication of rights and development of fishing lodges is increasing the exclusivity of angling.”

The concept of ownership runs counter to a strong spirit of angling captured by many of Ireland’s foremost artists and writers, Wilde and Joyce among them. Ownership and access rights can cause conflict along riverbanks and lakeshores. While tens of thousands enjoy the pursuit of angling, a troubled legacy left unaddressed since foundation of the state means ownership of Ireland’s rivers and lakes is often ambiguous and sometimes contentious.

The primary concern of the body responsible for conservation, management, protection and promotion of inland fishing, Inland Fisheries Ireland, is state-owned rivers and lakes.

Responsibility for management of privately owned inland waters falls predominantly to angling clubs, described widely as ‘custodians of the waters’. Input from the state is limited to inspection of national licences on salmon rivers – annual salmon and sea-trout licences currently cost €100 for 10 tags - and, in some instances, sponsorship of scientific studies. Although angling creates an estimated tourism revenue of €100M annually, into which river angling is estimated to contribute about a third, the management of most inland waters rests with individuals devoting their own time and expense. Some clubs have the luxury of having a significant stakeholder with an interest in maintaining high quality water, and therefore, good fish stocks. When Leixlip Angling Club

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secured fishing rights from Intel for a stretch along the Ryewater, the multinational company was eager to promote corporate environmental policy.

A body called Friends of the Ryewater incorporating the club, Intel and other stakeholders was created to maintain and enhance the river. In most cases however, angling clubs do not have such a resourceful partner.

For the holders of rights angling is a lucrative game. Increasing syndication of rights and development of fishing lodges is increasing the exclusivity of angling while public access to watercourses diminishes.

Through membership fees angling clubs cover the costs of leasing and access rights, which can run into several tens of thousands, for access to riverbanks and lakeshores. Although this finance can generally be covered relatively easily, further expense can become burdensome. One club secretary reported EU grants through the LEADER programme – even though revenue is collected through national salmon and sea-trout licences - are sometimes necessary to cover any additional costs for capital projects such as improving access ways, carparking or disabled facilities. Club members, through voluntary time and effort, pay additionally for upkeep of the rivers and their banks and, at a time when public service embargo is limiting the capacity of the Inland Fisheries to fulfil its function, taking the burden of being custodians of in-

land waters. Using the analogy of a property lease, the toll on the tenantholder of fishing rights does not stack up.

In a republic with a troubled history of propriety, the complexity of riparian rights is compounded by a growing commerciality of inland angling and syndication of private rights. Reasons as to exactly why fishing rights were omitted in the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty aren’t forthcoming. Many records held in the Four Courts were reputedly destroyed by fire during the Civil War, causing a glut of fishing rights on property folios to be marked ‘in limbo’.

A split between the lands transferred to the Irish Land Commission carried over fishing rights where others were withheld by the original owners fragmented the rights further. One solicitor previously retained for cases involving violations of fishing rights cases described political treatment of the issue since foundation of the State as a ‘hot spud’, a term repeated by other angling industry professionals.

In 2008, RTE Radio first aired a documentary on the subject of fishing rights on the Blackwater, one of Ireland’s finest and most lucrative salmon rivers. When asked about his claim on the river the Duke of Devonshire, owner of Lismore Castle and fishing rights for approximately twenty miles of the Blackwater, including Youghal Harbour, highlighted that everybody has their own political opinion on

Waters

Irish inland fishing rights

the issue. Indeed, in the 2006 General Election the Sinn Fein candidate for North Cork prioritised rescinding these rights on their manifesto. Playing a line between defending his stake and extending his hand to the local community, the Duke agreed to meet officials from Youghal Town Council over a potential dispute of rights to waters in Youghal Harbour. The dispute fizzled out without any progress or alteration, reflecting how the issue is indeed ‘political’ taboo.

Many conversations with knowledgeable anglers and industry professionals about angling rights on inland waters finished with the summation: ‘that’s just the way it is’. Irish anglers, it seems, are resigned to a troubled legacy of private rights and input from the state. Anglers from other countries with more sophisticated state management of inland waters query the cost of permits, and membership fees for relatively short stretches of water.

Several Irish anglers referenced Montana as exemplary of state-managed waters. Until attitudes toward rights, ownership and rules alter, and more effective top-down management of waterways is affected, the situation on riverbanks and lakeshores across Ireland will remain the same: in limbo.

This is highly likely while the subject remains on the backburner in Irish politics and lucrative businesses continue to thrive.

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HOBBIES Vintage

Carly Dolan

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Hay

making Experiencing rural irish life as your grandparents would have Trim stepped back in time last month with exhibits and displays from yesteryear at the Trim Haymaking Festival.

The sun shone on June 16 for the event at Porchfields, where visitors came from as far as Cork, Galway, Donegal and Monaghan to see old farming practices at work and experience the old country lifestyle of rural Ireland.

“The committee of this festival is attempting to revive past times, sports and ways of life of the Irish people, to stir in all our hearts a love for the virtues and simplicity of our ancestors,” chief organ-

iser Pat Farrelly said. “The vast majority of Irish people are either involved in farming or are in one or two generations removed from the land. Many of us hanker for the simple rural life of days gone by.

Life was simpler then, but it was also tougher. This festival reminds us of our culture and our past – both important facets in our own make-up.

“Nobody was disappointed as all the old skills and crafts of farming and ways of life were displayed at the Dan O’Hara Farm. The very young had a great time at the dog, goat and donkey shows and play maze in the hay. Large crowds

were enthralled at the notorious Donkey Derby Races and the ‘Roll in Hay’ where the ‘roses’ were among the rollers.”

Being a haymaking festival, the major attractions included the traditional hayfolks, with their forks turning and cocking, Scythe Cutting Championships and horses and vintage tractors mowing and rowing.

Other events included sheaf tossing, competitions, fly-fishing displays, a bike museum and vintage radio display. There was also an Old Irish Village on display and plenty of family entertainment.

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FARM Forestry

Grassroots Competition rules apply. / Sponsor: www.modelmania.ie, phone: 086 8359790Â

How to Enter

Open to all ag es. Simply se nd us images of you r farm models and diorama. Tell us your name , address and if you are unde r 18, please tell us your age.

Send entries to: Email to: info@ grassrootsmag.ie (with Model Comp as subject) Text to: 086 4684 411 Post to: Grass roots, Model C Grassroots Mag ompetition, Ballinhassig, C azine, Ballinoe Hse, o. Cork.

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RURAL INTEREST Laughing Stock

Why did the lumberjack cross the road? r To chop down the tree on the othe side.

What

How many lumberjacks does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

None. There are no lightbulbs in the forest!

An old Irish farmer’s sheep dog . goes missing and he’s inconsolable rick, ‘Pat , says Philomena, his wife why don’t you put an advert in the paper?’

He does, but two weeks later the dog is still missing.

‘What did you put in the paper?’

Philomena asks.

‘Here boy.’ Patrick replies.

did the tree say when he wa s burned down?

I cant beleaf this!”

s have any Q: Why don’t cow use farmers milk money? A: Beca them dry

Q: Where do cows go for lunch? A: The calf-eteria.

Two cows were out in a fiel d eating grass. One cow turns to the other cow and says, “Moooooo!”

“Hey”, the other cow replies.... “I was just about to say the same thin g!”

go to the doctors?

Why did the egg he a cracking headac Because he had

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An old man had a wife who nagged him from morning till night, she was always complaining about something. The only time he got any relief was when he was out ploughing with his old mule. He tried to plough a lot.

One day, when he was out ploughing, his wife brought him lunch in the field. He drove the old mule into the shade, sat down on a stump, and began to eat his lunch. Immediately, his wife began nagging him again, it just went on and on.

All of a sudden, the old mule lashed out with his hind legs, caught her smack in the back of the head and killed her dead on the spot.

At the funeral several days later, the priest noticed something rather odd. When a woman mourner would approach the old farmer, he would listen for a minute, and then nod his head in agreement, but when a man mourner approached him he would listen for a minute, and then shake his head in disagreement. This was so consistent, the priest decided to ask the old farmer about it.

So after the funeral, the priest asked him why he nodded his head and agreed with the women, but always shook his head and disagreed with all the men.

The old farmer said: “Well, the women would come up and say something about how nice my wife looked, or how pretty her dress was, so I’d nod my head in agreement.”

“And what about the men?” the minister asked.

“They wanted to know if the mule was for sale.”

RURAL INTEREST Business

“Home and Away” “Having successfully represented Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the Year competition in Monte Carlo Dr Edmond Harty will shortly be jetting off to the United States to help mentor entrepreneurs. ” Harty, Chief Executive and Technical Director of Dairymaster, has been invited by Ernst & Young to impart his knowledge and experience to the next generation of business leaders at a week-long CEO retreat taking place between Chicago, Notre Dame University and New York this month.

“I said before I went that it was an honour to represent my country and even my county at the competition, and it was,” said Edmond Harty. “But it was so much more – we got to build a huge network of contacts, were interviewed by the world’s press and even had time for a chat with Kofi Annan. And the informal feedback we got was that we were serious contenders.

They never announce any ranking beyond the winner but it was clear from the reactions of judges and media that we came very close. We were in the mix right up to the very end.”

One of the important by-products of the competition was the number of high profile and influential people Edmond met including former secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

“What I found interesting was that he shares our concerns about food production,” said Harty. “His position means that he is acutely aware of the potential problems we face with 200,000 extra mouths to feed every day.”

Edmond’s responsibilities as the current Irish Entrepreneur of the Year have not ended yet. On Wednesday (12th June) he will fly out to Chicago to meet with 24 finalists for the 2013 to pass on his experiences of leading Dairymaster to competing with the best in the world last week.

“We truly were taking on the best there are,” explained Harty. “And what it showed us was that there was no-one out there that was ahead of us in terms of the technology we use or the way we use it. And that’s a great message for the county and the country – we are standing shoulder to shoulder with everyone.”

rather than outsource them, is designed to nurture the innovation that has allowed the company to compete against much larger opposition.

Dairymaster is based in Causeway, County Kerry, where it carries out all of its manufacturing and research and development. Another unusual aspect of Dairymaster and Edmond Harty’s approach, the decision to base all activities in one site,

The goal of the retreat is to accelerate the growth, ambition and development of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurial talent and their businesses. So, along with Edmond the finalists will meet globally renowned experts in growth and internationalisation.

Ireland Winner Dr Edmond Harty CEO & Technical Director Dairymaster with Kofi Annan Former United Nations Secretary-General

Irish eyes are smiling Dr Edmond Harty & his wife Sile at the awards gala at Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo 8th June 2013

The 2013 Winners representing their Country at the World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo

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RURAL INTEREST Macra Youth

French Girl wins Blue Jean Country Queen Title

Winner 2013, France’s Canelle Beuze,

organisers with winners

top winners

France’s Canelle Beuze, a 20 year old student, has been crowned the 2013 Blue Jean Country Queen in Athboy, Co. Meath at the end of a very exciting festival weekend.

Canelle, a member of the Autonne Village Twinning Association, beat off competition from 28 other girls from all over Ireland and overseas to take the title at the Macra na Feirme festival last weekend where she received €1000 worth of prizes sponsored by Stephens Cooke &Co. She was crowned on Sunday night of the June Bank Holiday weekend much to the delight of the many French supporters attending as part of The Gathering 2013.

Runner up was Longford girl Sinead Duffy a member of South Longford Macra who was presented with €600 sponsored by O’Reilly Hoofcare and in third place was

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Orla Murphy from Ardrahan Macra in Galway who won €300 sponsored by Gilsenan Brothers.

Celebrating its 26th festival, members of Meath Macra na Feirme, organisers of the event, were delighted with all aspects of the weekend. With just the right amount of sunshine, huge crowds and a massive array of events organised over the weekend, it was just the recipe to turn this year’s festival into one of the largest and most successful to date.

Kicking off Friday night, when the Queens were interviewed on stage in front of an enthusiastic audience, the fun and craic flowed until Monday afternoon as live music was still playing throughout the town of Athboy, the home of the festival.

Speaking at the Festival Banquet, Chairperson Celine Smyth praised and thanked

the community of Athboy for their enormous support throughout the year in preparing for the event. She thanked festival secretary Caoimhe Leavy and all the organising committee for the endless hours of work they had carried out to ensure the weekend was a success.

She also welcomed the many visitors from overseas who are visiting due to the Gathering events held over the weekend, including the huge contingent from the Autonne Region of France who were obviously ecstatic with the French win.

Plans are already underway to ensure that the Blue Jean Country Queen Festival 2014 will be even bigger and better!

RURAL INTEREST Shows

FARM Forestry

Thomas Cody of Kilkenny with his award winning Bull Frankie pictured at this year’s Cork Summer Show 2013, Currah een, Cork City. Picture: Clare Keogh

Jessica and Julia Duszyn ska of Blarne y pictured at 2013, Curra this year’s Co heen, Cork rk Summer City. Picture: Show Clare Keog h

nWin your image in ca rk wo ur vas print and see yo credited in print Niamh O’Riordan with her calf Brideland Eli of Ballincollig pictured before the competition at this year’s Cork Summer Show 2013, Curraheen, Cork City. Picture: Clare Keogh

Send your photographs to:

info@grassrootsmag.ie

Amy O’Riordan of Ballincollig pictured at this year’s Cork Summer Show 2013, Curraheen, Cork City. Picture: Clare Keogh

Through the Lens @

Cork Show 59

RURAL INTEREST Shows

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Bloom 2013

by Carly Dolan

in pictures

A beautiful, warm start to June attracted a record crowd of 110,000 visitors to this year’s Bloom festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

The horticultural and food show, organised by Bord Bia, was held over the June long weekend, and has doubled in size since the inaugural event in 2007.

The Artisan Food Market was a popular exhibit this year, with crowds swarming in to try the home-grown Irish food on offer.

The exhibition of local produce included meats, cheeses, chocolates, jams, milk, juices and cakes, and it gave visitors a chance to speak directly with producers about how best to prepare the food they were buying.

The number of visitors who headed straight to the locally produced food tents

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RURAL INTEREST Shows

Germinal AD ?

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FARM

and cooking demonstrations illustrated the growing interest from the Irish public in supporting local farmers and producers.

Although the change in popularity to quality, local food was already taking place, the recent horsemeat scandal has led to a further increase in appreciation for good, old-fashioned, naturally and locally-reared meat in Ireland.

The artisan producers also received another boost when Bord Bia brought buyers from key retail outlets, including Tesco, Dunnes, Musgraves and Lidl to Bloom to meet with them, in an effort to develop further business offsite.

“Bloom 2013 has been a hugely successful show – our best to date, according to feedback,” Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter said. “It is now a well-established showcase for the talent, diversity and capability of the Irish food and horticulture sectors and its capacity to contribute to economic recovery.”

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RURAL INTEREST by gone days

by Victoria Deane

John

“Living in a very rural part of Ireland it was common that households grew their own crops at this time, we would always have had about maybe an acre of tillage, a half-acre of potatoes and a half acre of oats.”

When we look on the children of today’s society, in some respects you could say in general they have a very privileged childhood. They have activity camps, computer games and no idea of the true meaning of hard work. It’s a far cry from the childhood of one such as John A Cogan. His activity camp was the farmyard him and his siblings grew up in.

John Anthony Cogan was born on the 29th of May 1950 in Corlisheen, Riverstown, Co. Sligo. He is the oldest of 10, with 4

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brothers and 5 sisters. He was born and raised in the two story farmhouse that he lives in today. Here John A. farms 55 acres. He tells me that this farm has been in his family since 1834. “It would be a very mixed farm, it would be boggy, and there would be a few fields of good land, tis fairly mixed now”.

The farm that John A grew up on was very self-sufficient. “Well when I was young and going to school my parents would have had about 8 shorthorn cows which would

have been milked. The milk would be sent to the creamery from about the first of May until about October.” He also explains how at this time there was no creamery open on Sunday “milk wasn’t taken in on a Sunday. Saturday night’s milk and Sunday morning’s milk would be kept every week and that would be churned by my mother into butter to do the house for the coming week.”

Along with the cows the Cogan farm always kept 4 or 5 sows. “We would sell

Anthony Recalls the bonhams but maybe keep two for our own use”. John A remembers the pig being killed for eating “’twas a big operation, the pig would have been killed and left hanging for a few days and then we used to have a big ‘oul wooden table to put the pig up on where it would have been boned and salted and then we used to put it into a big wooden box, a tea chest it was”. “We would also have a clutch of turkeys every year”. The turkeys reared on Cogans farm would have been sold about two weeks before Christmas.

Living in a very rural part of Ireland it was common that households grew their own crops at this time.

“When we came from school we would have had to pick the potatoes and another thing was at the time, there was no water in houses so we used all have to take our turn in going to the well which was down at the bottom of the hill about 400 yards.

We used have small little sweet tins that time because we wouldn’t have been able to carry a bucket”. There was one job in particular that was John A’s responsibility from when he was about 5 years of age and that was to do the weekly shopping.

“They used to put me up on an ‘oul donkey and I used head on to the shop. I’d have my note with me and I would never get down from the donkey. There used to be a straddle on the donkeys back. There was

two pins on the straddle so I used hang my shopping on one pin and on the other there was a jar which I used to get the oil for our tilly lamp in.”

Another job that John A recalls being a part of was the ploughing. “I used to lead the horses while my father would plough but when I was a small fella my legs would get tired so my father would throw me up on one of the horses and I’d drive the two of them. I liked the horses so I didn’t mind that job so much.”

There were some activities however, that John A was not so keen on “There was an-

This however is not happening anymore John A tells me “It’s nearly finished up this part of the country but we would always have had about maybe an acre of tillage, a half-acre of potatoes and a half acre of oats.”

John A. has a keen interest in horses and this love was founded from his childhood with the working mare that was kept on their farm “We would usually have had a mare and foal, which was the same mare we would have used to work the land as well”.

John A recalls how they would borrow a mare from some cousins to put with their own mare to make a working pair. “We never had a reaper and binder but we would cut the oats with the mowing machine and used to make the handmade sheaves”.

It soon becomes evident that John A played a very active part in all the daily chores around the farm from a very young age. In fact he recalls how all his siblings would have had to lend a helping hand.

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RURAL INTEREST by gone days

other ‘oul thing up this way that we weren’t too fond of and that was lapping the hay, usually it would be me and me sisters doing the lapping and me father and mother would be doing the raking. We didn’t have much machinery here that time so it would have all been done with a pitchfork. You’d shake out a lump of the hay and you’d give it a twist in your arms and ‘twud make a bundle and that was your lap. These laps were fairly secure. You could leave them out in the field for up to three weeks and then when you got a fine day you’d make them into a cock of hay ”.

Today when children manage to save up their pocket money the first thing they want to do is head off to the local toy store and pick up the latest gadget on offer.

John A on the other hand bought his first sheep. At the age of 11 he made his purchase from a grand uncle. “She was an old sheep I got her for a pound in 1961 and I remember well she had two brown faced lambs for me. We had about a half a dozen sheep at home here so she fitted in grand.”

Like many at the time John A finished school when he was only 14. “I worked around with an ‘oul horse doing bits for the neighbours. At that time a lot of work was being done with the tractor but there was a thing up our way ‘twas called mauling the potatoes. It was when the stalks would come up you would dig the furrow again and you’d put up a fresh bit of clay on the ridges”.

After this John A got a job in the local coop in Riverstown when he was just 16. “I was in the dairy. We used be churning the butter. I had every kind of a job there really.” John A then started driving for the co-op in 1973. “First of all I was doing the local rounds but after a while I started doing the long drives to cork bringing milk to the Russian ships. I used to drive from Farranfore up the West Of Ireland. ” John A also recalls lifting heavy bags of pulp by hand off of the lorries on his own “That time there was no curtain siders, you’d have to come out at night if ‘twas a bad,windy night and cover your load and tie it with ropes, ‘twas hard work.”

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In 1982 John A bought the lorry himself and began doing his own hauling. “I hauled nearly all the butter that was in the west that time to Dublin City, I would take back any kind of a load with me then. Fertilizer, cement and timber. I even spent a few years hauling drink back from Dublin.”

I ask John A if this was lonely work “era not at all, that time there would be a load of hitchhikers so I met a lot of very interest-

ing people from all over the world, South Africa, Austrailia, America, everywhere.”

John A went back farming in 2000. “I missed the road a bit but I was at a stage where twas time to give it up and I used always keep the farm going while I was off driving.” When John A finally returned to farming it was a different life to the farming he would have remembered as a child.

Modern farming practices wiped out a lot of the traditions that John A would have witnessed as a child. However, he still keeps his horses, a passion that stayed with him from childhood until now. John A is a well-respected breeder amongst his peers. Infact one of the highlights of John A’s career as a breeder was to breed Grass Valley who was selected to be on the American Olympic team. Something perhaps a young boy, that sat on the back of his father’s ploughing mare all those years ago, could only dream of.

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FARM Forestry

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