|
|
 Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority are inviting all members of the farming community to attend an important Cross Compliance event.
Cross Compliance is a key component of the Single Farm Payment (SFP) and the decoupling of subsidies from production. Cross compliance is the principle that farm subsidy payments are linked to compliance with basic standards and if a farmer is applying for SFP, then cross compliance applies to every hectare of farm-able land that the farmer occupies.
 Directions to Gurteen Agri College Farmers must comply with all legislation affecting their businesses. The significance of cross-compliance is that farmers’ receipt of direct aids depends on their doing so. Cross-compliance is not a new concept, but it has been voluntary for Member States until now and applied only to environmental standards.
Cross Compliance is now compulsory. All farmers receiving direct payments, even when they are not yet part of the SPS, will be subject to Cross Compliance and it has been extended beyond compliance with environmental rules, to include new requirements regarding public, animal and plant health, animal welfare, and the maintenance of all agricultural land, in good agricultural and environmental condition.
This important Cross Compliance Event will be held on Tuesday next November 23rd, starting at 10.30 am in Gurteen Agricultural College.
Discussion and Practical Events will provide guidance to the farming community on all aspects of Cross Compliance particularly under the following headings:-
- Preparing Farmers for Cross Compliance On-Farm Inspections.
- Avoiding Unnecessary Penalties.
- Complying with On-Going EU Farm Legislation.
All are welcome to attend this very important event.
Farmers like all business people are concerned about the future, this was demonstrated by the very large attendance of farm families at the Teagasc Seminar entitled ‘Options for Farm Families‘ held in the Anner Hotel, Thurles last week.
The seminar acknowledged that farm families are confronted with considerable challenges just now. To prosper and develop in the coming decade, farm families need to consider all opportunities to include maximising farm efficiency and viability to achieve the highest possible returns and the adoption of new enterprises on the farm to generate extra income.
 Front row: M. Henegan, L. Kenny. - Back row: M. Murray, J. Kenny, Dr C. O'Donoghue, D. Meredith, D. Mullane Teagasc. Bill Condon, Teagasc adviser outlined the position as regards agriculture in Tipperary and gave his first hand experiences of key decisions taken by farmers in the county in recent years. He emphasised the key areas within the farm to concentrate on before considering other options. Donal Mullane Teagasc Area Manager encouraged farmers to avail of the advice, training and technical support for farm families on offer from the Teagasc team of advisers He drew attention to the opportunities as regards funding and advice from the Local Development Companies (LEADER), who presented at the seminar, and the County Enterprise Boards, VEC, FAS and Citizen Information who had information stands at the seminar for the purpose of creating linkage and providing information for farm families.
Dr.Cathal O Donoghue, and Teagasc, Head Rural Economy, Research and Development and Teagasc Economists David Meredith had some good news for farmers and stated that forecasts for farming look positive for 2011, with returns from the three main farm enterprises due to show improvement. The other positive coming from the seminar was that farmers have all the qualities to develop successful businesses; they are familiar with regulation, administration, they plan strategically, have valuable assets, relatively low borrowings and are adaptable. It was emphasised that Training and up-skilling are essential for future progress.
The above was confirmed in the presentation by John Kenny, a Tipperary Farmer. He stated “the importance of exploring all resources, to generate enough income and ensure a future for a successor on their farm, was the basis for their enterprise development.” The Kenny family own Fairymount Farm, near Roscrea, and as well as operating a viable farm they have a number of other very successful enterprises which includes Forestry, Rural Tourism, Equestrian and a Picture Framing business.
Maria Heneghan Options Co-ordinator and Rural Tourism Specialist stated that the Option Programme in Teagasc is about helping farmers to looking at the total farm family unit, the farm and its viability and efficiency, the skills within the family and the opportunities to expand and take on other enterprises. She drew attention to the newly designed Teagasc Farm Household Ready Reckoner, the purpose of which is to give farm families a pin- picture of financial situation in the farm household. This can form the basis for further discussion with the Teagasc advisor leading to an Options Plan if that is what the family require. It is important to have all the figures, to hand, when filling in the figures. If one wants to keep the information, it must be copied to a word document otherwise it disappears.
The Ready Reckoner can be found on the Teagasc web-site by clicking here. Farmers showed a lot of interest in this Ready Reckoner demonstration at this seminar.
Professor Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc attended the seminar and urged farmers to take time out with their families and engage with the supports available to draw up a medium term plan which will best fit their circumstances.
The purpose of this very informative evening was to create awarenees of the supporting agenicies in the county and to create for farmers an opportunity to meet the personnel involved.
Standing Room Only At Fine Gael Convention In Thurles, As Crowd Applaud.
An impressive crowd of more than 400 delegates turned out in force in the Anner Hotel, Thurles, last Friday night to select Deputy Noel Coonan as the sole Fine Gael candidate to contest the next General Election and represent the people of the Tipperary North/South Offaly constituency. The local TD thanked one and all, for their support, their encouragement and confidence conveyed on the night and vowed to continue to do the job entrusted to him, by the people of the constituency.
Party Leader Enda Kenny made a special effort to attend the important convention and reinforce his conviction and faith in the work being done by Deputy Coonan. Earlier on Friday evening, Deputy Kenny officially opened Noel’s new office on Main Street, Roscrea.
Commending the work of Deputy Coonan, Enda Kenny addressing the large gathering stated:
 Standing room only at Fine Gael convention “It has been 28 years since Fine Gael won a general election at the polls but I am here tonight to tell you that we are going to win the next election and it is your responsibility to re-elect Noel Coonan to Dáil Eireann as part of cleaning up the streets. Make him a piece of the jigsaw of the next Government. I am proud of the work that Deputy Coonan is doing and I greatly value his view of Ireland’s position on Common Agricultural Policy reform. There will be major changes in this area post 2013 and Noel will be defending the Fine Gael position at home and in Europe. This election is on and it’s on now. Fianna Fáil are finished; it’s over for them. Labour might be flavour of the month but people look to Fine Gael for real solutions and leadership. We recognise it’s about harnessing the abilities of experts in various fields and we will not turn away from this economic crisis, we have to turn and face it and we are not afraid to do exactly that. We will put an end to cronyism and open up the Government books to the public and show them how this country is being run. People have been asked to bear the brunt of the Fianna Fáils, Greens and Independents in Government. In contrast, Fine Gael’s signpost points to comfort, assistance and security.”
Deputy Coonan was recently appointed Fine Gael’s Deputy Agriculture Spokesperson with special responsibility for CAP Reform.
Deputy Coonan thanked Mae Quinn who proposed him and Gerry O’Connell who seconded the move. The local TD expressed gratitude to all branches who nominated him and gave special recognition to Fine Gael Councillors who unanimously agreed he should be the sole candidate in the best interests of pushing the party forwards. The meeting was chaired by Fine Gael Chief Whip Paul Kehoe TD. Also present were Tom Hayes TD, all Fine Gael Councillors from North and South Tipperary County Councils along with Cllr. Percy Clendennen from South Offaly.
The crowd cheered the Tipperary North TD when he took the microphone, stating:
“It took us 10 years to win this seat and we are not going to lie down and give it away now. I look forward to the day when Enda Kenny is the next Taoiseach and the next time there is a convention here, Enda will be Taoiseach and he will say to me, you were right Minister Coonan. My message to this Government is that your time has come. It’s time Fine Gael lifted us out of gloom and Ireland is recognised as a prosperous international destination once again. I am proud to be part of a party that practices old values such as courage, integrity and decency. These traits will always be relevant in politics, but this Government has let us down through strokes and gimmicks and they are still unable to tell the truth regarding the state of our nation. A lot has changed since our last convention here in Thurles five years ago. The economy is collapsing around us. The banks and construction sector have collapsed, and the only thing growing apart from the pastures is the visible queue of unemployed people.“
 Teagasc the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland. Teagasc, under the guidance of Area Manager Donal Mullane, are hosting an important seminar for all farm families in Thurles on Tuesday 2nd of November at 8.00pm in the Anner Hotel.
Farmers and farm families are continually weighing up their options and planning for the future. Opportunities and threats are continually being assessed as farmers navigate the decision making process for themselves and their families.
In farming there is a great interdependence between the farm and the family life. All farm families have a common aim and that is to maintain a decent household income, have a good quality of life and plan for the future of the farm. The past decade has witnessed huge change in family farm structures and the recent Harvest 2020 report, highlights the significant role that agriculture will play in the economy over the next decade.
The Teagasc Options Programme is designed to help Farm Families address the difficulties which they are experiencing, of reduced incomes and unemployment. Good management is the skill of making things happen rather that letting things happen so planning for a future in farming is the core aim of the Options Programme. A newly designed farm household income ready – reckoner will give a pin picture of the farm family income which will act as a foundation to examine your present income and family situation, to assess the potential of the farm and the family and discuss the many options with potential to generate more income and create a viable and attractive future for a successor on the farm.
To ensure all farmers are familiar with the benefits of the programme Teagasc are hosting a seminar at the Anner Hotel, Thurles on Tuesday night 2nd November to inform farm families of the benefits to planning for the future through the Options Programme. Teagasc Advisors and Specialists will be present at the seminar providing advice on finance, succession, forestry, food rural tourism and organic production. Other Agencies such as LEADER, County Enterprise Boards, Fas, VEC and Citizens Information Board will be available to discuss options and opportunities for farm families.
Programme For This Seminar
8.00 – 8. 15pm. Introduction – Sustaining Farm Income – Donal Mullane Area Manager Teagasc
8.20 – 8.40pm Agricultural Incomes Today – Dr. Cathal O’Donoghue, Teagasc
8.40 – 8.55pm Options for Farm Families – David Meredith, Teagasc
8.55 – 9.10pm Local Issues for Farm Families – Bill Condon Teagasc Advisor
9.10 – 9.30pm Budgeting – The Easy Way – Maria Heneghan, Teagasc
9.30 – 9.50pm Options in Action – A Local Options Story – John Kenny Fairymount Farm
9.50 – 10.00pm Leader Funding – Michael Murray CEO Leader
10.00 – Finish Questions and Discussion
All farm families are welcome.
 National Pig Conference 2010 The Teagasc National Pig Conferences 2010 will be held on Tuesday next, 19th October, in the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
This years conference takes place against a worrying background of rising feed costs by producers and Michael Martin, Head of Teagasc Pig Development Units states:
“Pig feed prices have increased by about €37 per tonne since June of this year. This equates to a 14 cent increase in feed cost per kg carcase weight. Unfortunately, pig prices have decreased by 7 cent per kg carcase weight since August 2010. Consequently, the margin over feed costs has shrunk to what is, for many producers, an unsustainable 43 cent per kg carcase weight.”
Speakers at Tuesday’s Thurles Conference will set out to address how producers might seek to reduce overall costs, while endeavouring to command the best possible price for pigs slaughtered. The quality of the feed ingredients is critical in minimising feed costs. Where will pig feed ingredients in the future be sourced? Are there any measures that producers can take to minimise feed costs in the short-term? All these questions will be addressed at the conferences.
Guest speaker at the event is Mr Derek Armstrong who is Veterinary Programme Manager with the British Pig Executive (BPEX). Derek will present a paper on the challenges now facing producers in relation to pig health and welfare and food safety.
The upcoming conferences will be opened by Director of Teagasc, Professor Gerry Boyle, at 2.15pm.
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2024: €400.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments