The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Simon Coveney T.D. announced in last week’s budget an allocation of €12.2 million towards this scheme to assist farmers to upgrade the standard of safety on their farms. The grant aid will be 40% up to a maximum eligible investment ceiling of €20,000 i.e. a maximum grant of €8,000. The closing date for receipt of applications will be Friday 9th January 2015 and all work must be completed and a payment claim lodged with the Department before Monday 31st August 2015. The terms and conditions and associated application forms for this scheme should be available shortly. Please contact us if you are interested.

List of proposed eligible items under Farm Safety Scheme.

Safety Rails on Silo Walls
Safety Fencing for external slurry and effluent stores (including gate)
Solid Cover for External Slurry and Effluent Stores
Safety Covers on External Agitation Points or Manholes
Replacement of damaged slats (single/twin/gang) or replacement of existing internal agitation point with new gang slats
Replacement of hinged door/sheeted gate with a sliding door on agricultural buildings
Removal of end wall of tank and provision of external agitation point
Wiring/Rewiring of existing farm buildings
Yard Lights (min 200W equivalent, either metal halide or LED)
Retrofitting roof clear-sheet (roof light) with safety cages
Circulation pipe (6”) to allow for agitation of slurry
Installation of calving gates
Simple aeration systems
Mobile Cattle Crush Unit (min 2.4m long)
Mobile cattle penning max of 75 linear metres (in combination with a Cattle Handling unit)
Mobile cattle weighing scales
Leg hoist/ lifter
Head Scoop
Mobile specialised Sheep spraying equipment (with or without trailer)
Portable Sheep Handling Race with wheels (including footbath)
Portable Basic Sheep Handling Race
Mobile Sheep Weighing Facilities
Mobile Sheep Rollover Crates
Mobile Sheep “Batch” Footbaths
Mobile Sheep penning max of 75 linear metres (in combination with a Sheep Handling Race)
Mobile Sheep Adoption Unit Front
Mobile Sheep Adoption Unit Front with penning

We now have a vacancy for an Agricultural Consultant / Advisor.

Responsibilities will include:

• Assisting our existing and future clients with their farm scheme applications including AEOS and the proposed GLAS.
• Promote and provide advice on all other farm schemes/ farm advisory tasks including those proposed in the latest Rural Development Programme.
• Assist in all other agricultural consultancy activities of the business.
• Contribute to the implementation and management of the specific objectives and strategy of the business.

Interested candidates should apply with their Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter to:
The Managing Director, Carroll Consultancy, Main Street, Swinford, Co Mayo
or by email to info@carrollconsultancy.ie

Closing date for applications is Friday 5th September 2014 at 5pm.

Full details are in the recruitment part of the Country Living Section in this weeks Irish Farmers Journal.

Breian Carroll, Managing Director of Carroll Consultancy will speak at the forthcoming Agricultural Science Association Annual Conference on Friday 12th September at Killashee House Hotel, Naas. The session being discussed is “Farm Advisory Services at a crossroads”.

The discussion will be opened by Dr Jim Kinslla, Head of Agribusiness & Rural Development, School of Agriculture & Food Science, UCD.

Other panelists in this session will be Eddie Downey, President, Irish Farmers Association and Dr Tom Kelly, Director or Knowledge Transer Teagasc. The Session Moderator will be Matt O’Keefe, Editor, Irish Farmers Monthly.

Our Managing Director Breian Carroll was interviewed in May by Damien O’Reilly for the RTE Radio 1 programme Countrywide.

Breian outlined the procedure for the 2014 Single Payment Application and also discussed the new CAP Reform from 2015 to 2019 and the proposed changes to the current system.

Click here to listen to interview

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD, today confirmed that agreement has been reached in Brussels today which provides for an advance payment under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme. ‘I am very pleased at the level of support evident at today’s meeting, the Minister said, adding ‘This will now allow us to make advance payments, at a rate of 50%, to those applicants whose applications are confirmed fully clear, with effect from 16 October, with balancing payments being made with effect from 1 December’.

The Minister explained that his approach to the Agriculture Commissioner had been prompted by the protracted unseasonable weather which prevailed throughout the country, which culminated in a serious national fodder shortage which led to severe difficulties for farmers.

Early planning of the winter feed budget is key to limiting the cost of importing winter feed.
There is no single option that will suit you. Remember that your stock have the following feed requirements over the winter period as set out in the table below. Consider the length of your winter feed requirements, number of livestock, type of livestock e.g. cows vs. young cattle, option of saving more silage etc when completing your calculations.

• All agricultural land should be tested every 5 years.
• Very expensive fertiliser prices: why waste your money on fertiliser when you have no accurate knowledge of what your soil requires?
• The basic test assesses the soil for pH levels, lime levels, Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) levels. Continue reading →