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 The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD., announced today that he is re-opening the Agri-Environmental Options Scheme, AEOS, to new entrants.
Minister Coveney stated that “Despite the challenging budgetary constraints within the Department, I am delighted to be in a position to announce that I am providing €20m for the AEOS scheme which will open shortly for applications”. He said “the scheme will build on the success of both the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and both AEOS 1 and 2 in delivering an annual income to farmers in return for farming to high environmental standards.”
A maximum payment of €4,000 per annum will apply to individual applicants under the re-opened scheme. The Minister said that as average payments in the past have been lower than the maximum, he is confident that up to 6,000 new participants can be accepted into the scheme.”
The Minister said that the scheme will be similar to previous years but that there will be some minor changes which are designed to target increased benefits to both participating farmers and the environment.
The Minister stated that “farmers will be paid to undertake identifiable and verifiable environmental measures from a menu of options”. He added that the scheme would “be attractive to farmers while also delivering real, worthwhile environmental benefits in the areas of bio-diversity, water quality and climate change. From that point of view, I am very pleased to announce the re-opening of the scheme again this year”.
As in earlier years, farmers with commonage land, designated Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas will be required to follow a ‘Sustainable Management Plan‘ prepared by a planner. However, those applicants will be given priority in determining access to the scheme. Applicants other than those requiring a sustainable management plan will not be required to engage a planner to complete their application form. In addition to the priority which will be given to designated land, the Minister said that applicants would be assessed on the basis of selection criteria reflecting previous participation in REPS, farm size and location in Disadvantaged Areas.
The Minister concluded by encouraging all farmers intending to apply for participation in the Scheme to look carefully at all of the information available to ensure that their applications are completed properly. Full details of the new Scheme, including the terms and conditions and application forms will be available in the next few days to his Department’s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. Hard copies of all scheme documentation will be made available from the Department’s local offices and Teagasc offices nationwide in the next few weeks.
AEOS is a targeted agri- environment scheme and is part-funded by the EU under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-2013. The scheme specifically targets the three challenges of halting biodiversity loss, contributing to the improvement of water quality and combating climate change, latter which have been assigned the highest priority at European level.
 These three lovely’s demonstrated the very best in both brain power & beauty, to win the coveted prizes in “International Miss Macra 2012.” The very lovely Miss Aileen Hennessey, representing Cork / Muskerry Macra, has been crowned International Miss Macra 2012, at a Champagne Banquet, in Ireland’s answer to Downton Abbey, the luxurious Dundrum House Hotel, Dundrum, Co Tipperary, last night.
Aileen now brings to seven, the number of times Cork has won this event in the 41 years of this festival, making them the county to have won this festival the most times.
Runners up in this year’s competition, respectively, were Miss Emma Jayne Earls representing Tyrone, and Miss Clodagh Barnwell representing Dublin.
Last year’s specially commissioned, Miss Macra Sterling Silver Tiara, embellished with Cubic Zirconia, was presented by Michael’s Jewellers, here in Thurles, thus celebrating this Festival’s 41st anniversary.
Speaking on behalf of Michael’s Jewellers, Mrs Joan Pollard Carew, one of three judges at this year’s Macra festival stated, quote: “I am honoured to be here with you tonight and privileged to address you. Macra is close to my heart and especially this prestigious festival. Now that the festival is at the beginning of a new decade it is inspiring to see a new young committee at the helm. When I first came to this festival as a sponsor most of the committee were young gentlemen, today it is “girl power,” all the way. Miss Eileen Leamy broke the mould when she became the first lady Chairperson; Claire Ryan, Mary Lyng and now Annemarie Wade have been superb successors and have clearly demonstrated that women have superb leadership skills. Annemarie has just secured a teaching position in Donegal; I am delighted for her, Donegal are so lucky to gain such a wonderful young lady. I am asking you all to put a petition together to encourage Annemarie to continue to Chair this festival. As a sponsor I could never say no to this festival, as it would be like saying no to one of my children. I wish continued success to Macra and particularly this International Miss Macra festival.”
Aileen Hennessey was presented with the Perpetual Silver Macra Trophy, together with the specially commissioned Perpetual Tiara, a cash prize of €1000 and a Tipperary Crystal trophy sponsored by Dundrum House Hotel.
First Runner up, Emma Jayne Earls received a specially commissioned piece of Tipperary Crystal and a cash prize of €500, while the second Runner up, Clodagh Barnwell, received a specially commissioned piece of Tipperary Crystal and a cash prize of €300, sponsored by Tipperary Co-Op.
Amongst those who attending the event were Macra President Mr Alan Jago, Thurles Town Councillor Ger Fogarty, as well as representatives from all of the event’s sponsors.
Due to the very high standard of the girl’s competing in this year’s event, the festival judges described their task as being the most difficult they had yet undertaken.
As we had forecast, the 2012 International Miss Macra Festival was a sell-out, with many supporters, who had failed to book their tickets in advance, unable to gain access to the special Macra Marquee, purposely erected as part of this truly enjoyable three day event.
Highlight of the weekend for the contestants was a visit to Coolmore Stud in Fethard, Co.Tipperary. Highlighting this visit, Clonoulty / Rossmore Chairperson Miss Annemarie Wade paid a special tribute to the staff and management, for their extreme professionalism and kindness, paid to the contestants during their guided tour of the Coolmore complex.
Following the Macra Banquet, over 300 guests danced the night away to popular bands “Arkadia,” & “No Recession,” who both provided their own very special brand of popular music. Sound & Lighting for the various weekend events were provided by Don Andrews.
One interesting point, as pointed out by Macra President Mr Alan Jago, this year’s well attended event, which was ‘superbly planned,’ from start to finish, was organised by a voluntary committee, the oldest of which is just 24 years old. Maybe there is hope for this country yet.
 The International Miss Macra Festival takes place again this year on the August Bank Holiday weekend (August 2nd to 6th, 2012) returning once again to Dundrum House Hotel, Dundrum, Co Tipperary.
Brief Details Of Up & Coming Miss Macra Weekend
Thursday 2nd: The arrival of contestants, when they ‘Meet and Greet,’ with festival officers and other contestants at Dundrum House Hotel.
The official opening of the festival in Clonoulty Village Hall with tea, buns, traditional music and ceilli dancing as well as meeting up with host family. (Note: All contestants stay with local families, most of whom are current members or past members of Clonoulty / Rossmore Macra!)
Friday 3rd: Contestants will take a trip to Coolmore Stud, followed by Lunch and a Jewelry making class. Friday evening will be spend getting acquainted with host families and their supporters. Friday night features a “Glow in the Dark Disco,” so ‘break out,’ those Glo bands!
Saturday 4th: Seven minute interview with Macra’s three judges based on entry form. Interviews on stage with contestants performing their favourite party piece. Music and dancing with “No Recession,” and Disco until the small hours.
Sunday 5th: Mass in the parish church. Family Fun Day with BBQ, contestants obstacle course and other fun games. Hair appointments, followed by Gala Banquet and dancing to “Arkadia,” with late Disco into the even smaller hours. The winners of International Miss Macra 2012 will be announced, as is customary, at midnight.
Monday 6th: Farewell to all the contestants.
More details on this event to follow over the coming weeks.
Picture courtesy G.Willoughby.
The Irish Farm Managers Association (IFMA) Conference takes place in the Horse & Jockey, Thurles, Co.Tipperary on Wednesday May 9th, 2012.
With the theme “Practical Farm Management, Training Key To Achieving 2020 Food Harvest Targets,” the Conference starts at 10:00am sharp with Registration, during which time Tea & Coffee will be served.
IFMA Conference Programme Is As Follows
10.45am – Official Opening – Jerry Twomey, President, IFMA. Chairperson: Pat Dillon, Head of Animal & Grassland & Innovation Research Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark
 11.00am – Food Harvest 2020 Targets – The Potential : Speakers Jim Woulfe, Chief Executive Officer, Dairygold, Paul Nolan, Group Development Manager, Dawn Meats and Tom Kelly, Director, Knowledge Transfer Directorate, Teagasc.
12.30pm – Lunch.
1.45pm – Food Harvest 2020 – Releasing the Potential. Chairperson: Jim Treacy, Chairman, IFMA
Role for Farm Partnerships/Joint Ventures. Speakers Ben Roche, Farm Structures Specialist, Teagasc and Noel Collins, Economic and Planning Division, DAFM
Equity/Management Arrangement. Speaker Tommy O’Riordan, Farm Manager.
Summary of Joint Ventures in Australia. Speaker Zich Zichy-Woinarski, Consultant, Australia.
3.15pm – Food Harvest 2020 – Releasing the Potential. Chairperson: John O’Brien, Chairman Master Farmers Central Committee
Training and Career Paths for Farm Managers.
Professional Farm Managers Programme. Speaker Tony Pettit, Head, Curriculum Dev Standards, Teagasc
Example Career Paths/Cases. Speakers Aidan O’Leary, Farm Manager and Kevin Commins, Farm Manager
4.30pm – Close of Conference – Speaker Professor Gerry Boyle, Director, Teagasc.
Note: Conference Fee (including morning tea/coffee and lunch) costs €20.
 Thurles Native Ciaran Carroll Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland, has appointed Mr Ciaran Carroll as Head of the Pig Development Department at Teagasc. He takes over from Mr Michael Martin, who has retired after a long and successful career at the agency.
A native of Thurles, County Tipperary, Mr Carroll, who holds a degree in Agricultural Science and a Masters in Animal Science from University College Dublin, has worked as a Specialist Pig Development Officer within Teagasc since 1993, and specialises in the areas of Pig Nutrition, Pig Reproduction, Planning and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) Licenses and Education.
During his career to date, Mr Carroll has also developed strong International links with North Carolina State University, University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, Alberta Pork, and with several other organisations in Australia, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Mr Carroll will be based at the Teagasc Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre, at Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork.
Photo courtesy G.Willoughby
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