Additional resources to meet demand for Green Cert Courses – Teagasc Virtual College Open Days
Teagasc welcomes the recent announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., giving approval for the recruitment of 20 fixed term education staff to meet exceptional demand for Teagasc Green Cert courses. Commenting on the Minister’s announcement, Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle, said: “The provision of 20 additional staff will […]
Ulster Bank Cannot Throw Farmers To The Vultures
IFA President Tim Cullinan said that Ulster Bank cannot sell its loan book to a vulture fund. “It’s estimated that there are 10,000 farmers with borrowings from Ulster Bank, and a further 10,000 availing of current account facilities. Ulster Bank must make a commitment that it will not to sell its loan book to a […]
Macra members share their experiences of working from home
Covid-19 has changed the way we approach our workday with many commutes being eliminated allowing for that time to be used differently. In the recent Macra na Feirme Rural Youth Survey those working in rural Ireland outside of farming were asked a series of questions concerning their work/life balance and the impact of Covid-19 on […]
Farmers Face €40m Clawback On Flawed Beam Scheme
IFA President Tim Cullinan said IFA held a constructive and frank discussion with the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and his senior officials yesterday on the 5% reduction requirement in BEAM scheme. “There are 18,000 farmers currently not achieving the reduction, which could see these farmers having to hand back as much as €40m out […]
New incentives for Farmers to Invest in Farm Safety Equipment
IFA National Farm Business Chairperson Rose Mary McDonagh has welcomed the inclusion in the Finance Act 2020 of updated Accelerated Capital Allowances for farm safety equipment. The new scheme allows for 50% capital allowances per annum for two years for eligible equipment. Eligible equipment includes chemical storage cabinets and anti-backing gates, as well as adaptive […]
IFA Potato Chairman Says Retailers Are Causing Food Waste
IFA Potato Chairman Thomas McKeown has called on all retailers to recognise the work of potato farmers and to consider the economic sustainability of the Irish potato sector. In recent weeks some retailers have raised the specs on potatoes to unattainable levels. This is hitting producer incomes and leading to high levels of food waste. […]
Overall winner of Teagasc Forest Photo Competition announced
From the beautiful location of the Phoenix Park, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett today Tuesday, 8 December, announced the overall winner of the Teagasc forest photo competition entitled ‘Celebrating Our Forests’. The worthy winner is Ms. Jane Walsh from Rosses Point in County Sligo. Jane’s winning image, entitled ‘The […]
Farmers set to take the biggest Brexit hit – IFA President tells Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture
Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture this afternoon, IFA President Tim Cullinan said regardless of the final outcome on Brexit, Irish agriculture and Irish farmers stand to lose out most. “Whether or not a limited deal is achieved, the impact will be a deterioration of trade – what is at issue is the degree of […]
Teagasc Dairy Roadmap published at Virtual Dairy Conference
The Teagasc 2027 Sectoral Roadmap: Dairy was launched today by Liam Herlihy, Chairman of the Teagasc Authority, at the second day of the 2020 Teagasc Virtual Dairy Conference. He said; “looking to the future, it is inevitable that changes and challenges will occur, and we as dairy farmers must embrace those changes. Ireland has to […]
Macra na Feirme want to hear from all those living or working in rural Ireland
Macra na Feirme are seeking the views of those involved in farming and living in rural Ireland in their annual survey which will inform future policy work. Now, for the first time ever, Macra na Feirme are also asking the opinions of young non-farmers living in rural Ireland and how they view themselves, their community, […]