Farming News Louis Murchan Extension To Knowledge Transfer Advisor Registration Deadline The deadline for applications under advisor registration of Knowledge Transfer Groups would be extended until 11 September. Department approved facilitators should register their proposed Knowledge Transfer Groups on the Department’s on-line facility for the dairy, beef and equine sectors. Knowledge Transfer is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and will involve the formation and administration of knowledge transfer groups across a range of sectors. Funding of €100m under the Rural Development Programme has been allocated for 27,000 farmers participating for 3 years in Knowledge Transfer Groups across the dairy, beef, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors. The measure is co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The on-line registration process provides the opportunity for DAFM approved facilitators to apply to run dairy, beef and equine Knowledge Transfer Groups. Since the registration process opened, interest levels in the Knowledge Programme has been considerable. This reflects the intent of advisors and farmers alike to improve onfarm profitability and sustainability through farmer meetings run by advisors and involving the exchange of information and best practices. Facilitators and vets will also assist participating farmers in the completion of a tailored Farm Improvement Plan that will address issues such as profitability, sustainability, animal health and welfare and farm safety. The Knowledge Transfer Group application process will result in the approval of advisors to run Knowledge Transfer Groups under the sectors for which they have successfully applied. Following the approval of advisors detailed Scheme Terms and Conditions will be made available and farmers will, at that stage, be able to contact approved advisors from a list published on the Department’s website with the intention of joining a group to participate in Knowledge Transfer. The full Terms and Conditions and list of approved advisors will be made available as soon as possible after the 11th September closing date for the receipt of Knowledge Transfer Group applications. Farmer information meetings will also be held at this time. New €17M Pig & Poultry Scheme Under TAMS Ii Though there are not many connected with pigs and poultry production in Mid and West Kerry, there are those involved in this sector and this should be of interest to them. A new TAMS II Scheme for Pig and Poultry investments. This investment of €17m reflects the Department’s ongoing commitment to the growth potential of this important sector and to the modernisation of farming in Ireland. It is hoped that pig and poultry farmers will look very seriously at the opportunities offered by this new scheme. A total of €395m has been made available for TAMS II schemes over the course of the RDP period, with some €17m earmarked for the pig and poultry sector. The new scheme is being co-funded by the European Union. The areas of investment available include: medicine dispenser units, water meters, solar panels, heat recovery units/heat pumps, energy efficient boilers, feed system upgrades (for medication reduction and energy efficiency), energy efficient upgrade for farrowing house, weaner housing, fattener housing, poultry house and disease reduction facilities for existing poultry houses. The scheme is open to all farmers who meet the eligibility criteria, offering a standard rate of 40% on investment up to a ceiling of €80,000. The first tranche of applications will run for three months, closing towards the end of October. All applications must be made online, either by the farmer or an adviser authorised to act on his or her behalf. Applications can be made under agfood.ie by registered users of the Department’s website. Scheme details for TAMS II and specifications for buildings are available on the Department’s website: €5M In New Scheme For Organic Processing Sector Yet another scheme has been announced with the opening of the new Grant Aid Scheme for the Development of the Organic off-farm Processing Sector with immediate effect. This new scheme, which is wholly exchequer-funded, runs for the lifetime of the Rural Development Programme and will support investments for off-farm projects. Processors can apply for grants of up to €500,000 for investment in facilities for the processing, preparation, grading, packing and storage of organic prod14 West Kerry Live
ucts with minimum level of investment in excess of €3,000. €5m has been earmarked for the new scheme over its lifetime. The purpose of the scheme is to promote and develop the organic sector, and as an opportunity for the Irish agri-food sector in general. It is a further initiative to help existing organic processors meet the growing demand for organic food, both in Ireland and abroad. Substantial support for organic farmers already exists through the new TAMS Organic Capital Investment Scheme which was launched recently and this new off-farm scheme now offers similar support for the organic processing sector. Copies of the terms and conditions of the new Grant Scheme, together with application forms, are available from the Organic Farming Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle, Wexford. Email: organicunit@agriculture.gov.ie Phone: 053-9163400 Fertilizer Application The last allowed application of chemical fertiliser for 2013 is the 15th of September unless there is an extension by the Minister of Agriculture. This deadline will be very quick coming so every farmer should target areas on the farm that they will fertilize before this deadline and get it applied in a bid to build up reserves on the farm that can be grazed if the weather allows. This will all help to reduce the fodder shortage for the up and coming winter. Late Silage Many are trying to ensure enough silage/fodder for the coming winter season. The brilliant summer weather had the disadvantage of meaning that fertilizer uptake in soil wasn’t as expected. Those still hoping to make silage in September should consider a 1 bag per ac dressing of CAN, or as 25 to 27 % nitrogen compound fertilizer, to ensure good grass growth. However, this is weather dependant, and you need a suitable soil moisture content to allow the allow the fertilizer to “dissolve” into the soil, for easy uptake. Sheep Notes: Lamb Preformance:- Lambs on grass alone should be growing at over 150g per day post weaning, with a target of about 200g per day or 1.4kg per week. You will only know if you are on target by weighing some unfinished lambs. You need to put a permanent mark or tag on these lambs, as you will need to re-weigh the same lambs a few weeks later. Then calculate the growth rate per day. This is a simple task on most farms as lambs are being gathered regularly for drafting. When lambs are not performing well, you need to ask why. If the problem is: • shortage of grass for lambs - apply additional fertiliser, especially nitrogen, but also phosphate and potash if soil levels are low. Sell lambs immediately as they become fit for slaughter. Sell cull ewes. Consider selling store lambs to reduce your stocking rate. • Poor quality grass, containing stem and/or dead material - The key to maintaining sward quality is to graze out pastures well with adult sheep in good condition or cattle. Alternatively, some topping may be needed. In a rotational grazing system, allow adequate time for the build-up of quality leafy pasture of 8-9cm before moving in lambs to graze. This will lead toimproved lamb performance. • Roundworm - Have some faecal samples sent to the laboratory to identify if there is a worm burden and dose accordingly. Maurice O’ Connell Agricultural Advisor, (1954 – 2015). The recent passing of Maurice O’Connell must be acknowledged in these lines, as anyone involved in farming in Kerry for the past thirty years will have crossed paths with him, and be better off, as a result, from the experience. Though ill for over a year, his clients were not far from his thoughts during his own troubles. He was a man dedicated to farmers in the county, and particularly those of West Kerry and spent his life travelling throughout the peninsula working with a large section of the farming community. He once described himself as a “GP”, not a consultant, solving people’s problems and getting them out of trouble. This is a mantra followed by many of his protégé. He never took on a job that he couldn’t finish, and always sought second opinions if there was ever a doubt about the solution. Having spent a few years working beside the man, it was a learning experience, a pleasure and very often, a lot of fun. He was still a young man and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts go out to his wife and family. For further information contact:- Louis Murchan 087-2857938
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