More flexibility needed on National Fertiliser Database

IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chair Paul O’Brien outlined that IFA is seeking changes to the National Fertiliser Database to ensure it is fit for purpose and userfriendly for farmers.

Sale

Lambs

11 a.m.

Breeding Ewes and Hoggets

Each Saturday - Gates open at 8 a.m.

Saturday, 12th August

Premier Show and Sale Show 11.30am Sale 1.30pm

There was a good entry of top-quality weanlings on offer at our sale held on Tuesday evening last with a very strong trade for both bulls and heifers.

Bull weanlings fetched from an average of €2.79 per kilo up to €3.45 per kilo, while heifer weanlings made from an average of €2.77per kilo up to €3.71. There was a very good attendance of customers ringside with online buyers also active.

There was a good entry of stock on offer at last Friday’s special heifer sale with a strong trade for all classes. Heifers fetched an average of €2.69 per kilo up to €3.60 per kilo. There was a smaller entry of dry cows and they made an average of €2.21 per kilo up to €2.63 per kilo. There was a good attendance of customers at the ringside with online bidders also active.

We had a larger number of sheep on offer at our weekly sale of lambs and cast ewes. Prices for finished lambs made up to €145. The tops for stag ewes fetched €160. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID Tag set. Next sale of lambs and cast ewes takes place next Wednesday (16th) 11 am. Yard opens at 8 am. All stock must be penned by 10 am. Sale can be viewed live on www. livestock-live.com.

Sample prices for dry cows: Char X 755kgs €1,950, Lim X 680kgs €1,690, SAX 705kgs €1,730, Lim X 670kgs €1,610, Lim X 720kgs €1,540, Lim X 645kgs €1,510, AAX 680kgs €1,330, Lim X 615kgs €1,420.

Heifers: Lim X 375kgs €1,350, Char X 420kgs €1,270, Char X 635kgs €1,950, Char X 580kgs €1,790, Lim X 410kgs €1,310, Char X 585kgs €1,790, Lim X 405kgs €1,280, Char X 580kgs €1,770, Lim X 375kgs €1,350, Char X 470kgs €1,500, Char X 490kgs €1,470, Char X 405kgs €1,280, Char X 395kgs €1,200, Lim X 350kgs €1,070, Char X 415kgs €1,240.

Heifer weanlings: Char X 345kgs €1,160, Lim X 340kgs €1,060, Char X 350kgs €1,080, Char X 360kgs €1,100, Char X 370kgs

€1,080, Lim X 380kgs €985, Char X 575kgs €1,540, Char X

530kgs €1,420, Lim X 385kgs €1,000.

Bull weanlings: Char X 310kgs €1,070 - €3.45 per kg, Char

X 480kgs €1,590 - €3.31 per kg, Lim X 520kgs €1,660 - €3.19 per kg, Lim X 510kgs €1,530 - €3 per kg, Char X 515kgs €1,580 - €3.07 per kg, Lim X 400kgs €1,250 - €3.13 per kg, Char X 325kgs €1,050 - €3.23 per kg, Lim X 295kgs €970 - €3.29 per kg, Char X 375kgs €1,180 - €3.15 per kg, SAX 305kgs €940€3.08 per kg.

“The new Fertiliser Database sets out very tight and potentially unworkable timelines for farmers this autumn. We need much more flexibility and further discussions to develop a workable system,” he said.

From September 1st, any farmer who wishes to purchase fertiliser, including lime, must be registered on Agfood. Furthermore, as it currently stands, all farmers are required to enter closing stocks, even if no fertiliser is on the farm, by mid-October.

“The mid-October deadline is going to prove very challenging, particularly for farmers who will need assistance in registering. Extending this deadline makes sense and will ensure farmers have the time to comply with this requirement,” Paul O’Brien added.

The Department of

Agriculture are also seeking any farmers importing fertiliser from Northern Ireland to register as a Fertiliser Economic Operator. There was a sharp

Forestry programme ‘a lost opportunity’ - IFA

Following the EU Commission’s approval of the afforestation scheme under the new Forestry Programme, IFA Farm Forestry Chair Jason Fleming has described it as “a lost opportunity”.

“The funding for the scheme is very strong but unfortunately the way the scheme is constructed will turn many farmers off the programme. It is a lost opportunity,” Jason Fleming said.

Mr Fleming added that the IFA has consistently raised several issues with the programme, but the Government has not acknowledged these concerns.

“As a result,” he said, “the programme won’t meet the needs of farmers and lacks reassurance for farmers regarding the commercial viability of forestry investments”.

New Suckler scheme ‘a major disappointment’

The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association has expressed major disappointment with the newly announced National Beef Welfare Scheme.

National Vice-President Micheal McDonnell has called on the Minister and his officials to review the scheme stating that there needed to be an increase in the overall payment rate and as well as a full review around the IBR testing requirement.

“This scheme was eagerly anticipated by suckler farmers, especially those that didn’t join SCEP,” he said.

“While it is positive that there are no impediments to joining as there is with the Bord Bia requirement under SCEP, the reality is that for the vast majority of suckler farmers there is no great incentive to join”.

Mr McDonnell said that INHFA proposals had increase in the level of fertiliser imported from Northern Ireland in 2023 due to the price disparity with the South. Accordingly, the process of