New Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed Sets Out His Stall

New Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed Sets Out His Stall

The new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed has said that he had no advanced inkling that he would be appointed to the position.

Speaking on C103fm the Cork North West TD said that the Dail was due to reconvene half past five and the bells had begun to ring.

“I said ‘that’s it, another ministerial bus missed’. Literally as the bells were ringing the Taoiseach’s office rang looking for me and the Dail was put back by three quarters of an hour.

“So that’s how it happened. I had no advanced inkling of it.”

Minister Creed said that he is looking forward to working with the industry and with farming bodies and to try do his best for the country for an industry that is a multi-billion euro one.

He then paid tribute to Simon Coveney, his predecessor and said that did an enormous amount of work.

There was a time in previous administrations when the industry was collectively referred to as a sunset industry.

“In fact I see it as entirely the opposite way it’s been an engine for our economic recovery. There’s a great job of work to be done there in building a coalition between those inside the farm gate and those outside it.

“We are a trading economy, exports are our lifeblood and the more we can export the better prices are secure.

“All the commodities are in difficulty in terms of prices paid to the primary producer, that’s a huge challenge.

“The State isn’t a purchaser of milk or beef, but there are issues in terms of policy we will be working on to ensure that those people can get a just reward from the huge endeavours they put in.

Minister Creed said that he has had contact already with IFA and the other farming organisations and that he’s looking forward to meeting them.

He said that young farmers are the future of agriculture and the age profile of farming is a concern.

It’s great to see places for example Darrara agricultural college bursting at the seams with people wanting to have a career in agriculture.

“I think it’s the ultimate vote of confidence by young people and it’s also a signal to people like myself that we have to make sure that these people can earn a decent living from this.

“I see it as my duty, that wherever a good idea comes from, I’m not prejudiced against it because it may not have originated in my department or Fine Gael.

“I’ll work with anybody that has a decent, constructive viewpoint that serves the industry well. So, independents, opposition… I’m open to good ideas from any quarter,” he concluded.

10 things you should never do when handling cattle

10 things you should never do when handling cattle

Well designed and maintained cattle handling facilities are essential for the safe handling of cattle and prevention of injury to handlers, the HSA advises.

According to the HSA, many accidents involving cattle could be eliminated with better handling facilities.

As it is farm safety fortnight, the HSA has compiled a list of things you should never do when you’re handling cattle:

1.      Never put an inexperienced handler, elderly person or a child at risk with cattle.

2.      Never handle cattle or get others to handle them if there is a lack of competence and confidence to do the work safely.

3.      Never turn your back on a bull or trust a bull, no matter how docile he may appear.

4.      Never stress/arouse cattle unnecessarily.

5.      Never turn your back on a cow at calving.

6.      Never keep dangerous cattle.

7.      Never suddenly enter the animal’s ‘blind spot’.

8.      Never rush into the animal’s ‘flight zone’.

9.      Never beat or shout at cattle unnecessarily – they remember bad experiences.

10.  Never move cattle on a public road at night.

Furthermore, a lot of accidents on farms result from simple trips, slips and falls, therefore the HSA says that it is essential that handling areas should be kept clean and tidy.

Fences and gates on the farm must be adequate to hold cattle on the farm. According to the HSA, in particular, all road boundaries must be stock proof and internal fences able to ensure that unplanned mixing does not occur.

Dairy cattle in the parlour

There is always close contact in the milking parlour between the milkers and the cows, so the design of the parlour must ensure that cows can be milked safely and rapidly. The HSA advises that it is most important that cows have adequate room in the milking parlour and that the kick rail is at the correct height to prevent the milker getting a kick. All parlours must be well-earthed and the HSA says that if necessary, checks made to measure any stray electrical current in the pipe work or coming through the milking machines.

Suckler and finisher housing

Meanwhile, when it comes to sucklers and finishers, they are less likely to cause problems as they have less contact with the farmer. According to the HSA, this is especially the case on many part-time farms where the only real human contact may occur at the weekend.

However, the quality of the housing facility should be no less important on small ‘part-time’ farms than on bigger, full-time operations.

Farm Safety Fortnight to Focus on Preventing Injuries from Tractors and Livestock.

Farm safety fortnight to focus on preventing injuries from tractors and livestock.

Today, Monday April 11, is the beginning of an intensive two-week farm safety inspection campaign with Inspectors from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) visiting roughly 300 farms across the country.

According to the HSA, the key focus of the campaign will be on identifying crush zones and preventing impact injuries, which usually involve tractors and machinery or being caught by an animal that has suddenly turned aggressive. Crush zones are generally between the tractor and an attachment or machine, or within the machine itself.

The HSA is encouraging farmers to learn how to recognise these zones and ensure that the risks to themselves and others are controlled. Calving and livestock handling facilities should be designed to minimise the risk of being attacked

by aggressive animals, it advises.

Speaking about how many of these accidents occur, Pat Griffin Senior Inspector with the HSA said that he believes many of these crush injuries and deaths are actually caused by excessive workload, pressure, stress, improvising and taking short cuts.
“These factors coupled with fatigue, can be a lethal combination. By managing workload the risks can be reduced.”

There are a few simple steps that can be considered for managing workload:

• Prioritise activities: Make choices about what to do and when to do it. Do the most important jobs first and spread workload out over time.

• Plan ahead: Allocate enough time for daily activities and plan for busy seasonal periods. Consider getting extra help at very busy periods where fatigue becomes a major factor.

• Pacing: Organise a routine so on average the same amount of work is done each day. Plan what is going to be done rather than responding to what needs to be done.

During ‘Farm Safety Fortnight’ the HSA will also be highlighting the importance of safety for young children on farms. “Children should have safe play areas away from work activity, and in full view of the farm house. “They should be given clear instruction on safety issues and kept away from dangerous areas such as slurry pits, working machinery and high areas,” Griffin said.

For more information on tractor safety and child safety on farms visit the HSA website.

Prevention and Management of Pneumonia in Dairy Calves

Prevention and management of pneumonia in dairy calves

Pneumonia in dairy calves is often referred to as a ‘multifactorial disease’. Besides infectious agents, environmental and management factors may be responsible for the outbreak of disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia is essential for a successful outcome.

Symptoms include increased respiratory rate, dullness, reduced feed intake, discharge from the nose/eyes and high temperature. When pus-like nasal discharge or severe respiratory distress is noted the disease may be advanced. Careful observation of calves at a time when they are resting (not at feeding time) is required to pick up these signs.

Viruses associated with pneumonia include IBR, RSV and PI3; bacteria include Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. Veterinary advice should be sought on the treatment and control of pneumonia. The most important factor for a successful outcome is to start treatment very early in the course of the disease and to treat for long enough; otherwise the calf may relapse with recurrent bouts of pneumonia. Prevention of pneumonia is better than treating outbreaks.

Improve the resistance of calves by ensuring good colostrum intake and nutrition, controlling scour and avoiding stress. If vaccination is prescribed ensure vaccines are stored and used as recommended. Periods of high-risk for pneumonia outbreaks are usually stressful periods for calves, such as after grouping or mixing of groups, weaning, or unfavourable weather.

No matter what system is used for calf housing, it is important that calves always have access to plenty of fresh air, without draughts, and a good, dry, well-bedded lying area. Check the ventilation in pens by crouching to the calf level. If there is a smell of ammonia, it is probably not well ventilated. One of the biggest risks for calves is sharing airspace with adult animals. Don’t put ill or stunted older calves back into a group of younger calves.

Author: Ian Hogan, CalfCare Technical Working Group Member

Farmer of the Year Awards Return with €20,000 fund

Farmer of the Year Awards Return with €20,000 fund

The hunt is on for the country's top farmers as the Zurich Farming Independent Farmer of the Year Awards returns with a fantastic prize fund of over €20,000.

If you believe you are one of the best producers in the country or you know one of the top farmers now is your chance to get recognition for all the hard work.

You can log on to www.farmeroftheyear.ie to apply online or to download a form to enter by post. The awards are free to enter and farmers can nominate themselves or alternatively be nominated by a third party.

There are a wide range of categories available to enter including Beef, Sheep, Dairy, Tillage, Equestrian, Alternative Farm Enterprises and Rising Stars, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grand Prix Award for the overall Farmer of the Year for 2016.

Last year's Lifetime Achievement Award went to Anna May McHugh for her dedicated service to the National Ploughing Association.

In addition there is a category to promote excellence in farm safety, which is being sponsored by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

The Alternative Farm Enterprise category gives farmers involved in more niche enterprises such as vegetables, fruit, pigs, poultry, flowers, and organics, along with those engaged in forestry, an opportunity to show-case their achievements. The Rising Star section is aimed at recognising the huge pool of talent that is coming up through the ranks of Irish agriculture.

Award winners will share a prize fund of €20,000 which will be presented at a glitzy ceremony in The Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin on Friday May 20, 2016.

The competition is run in conjunction with Zurich Insurance, and with categories sponsored by ICMSA, ICSA, Teagasc, Landrover and the Health and Safety Authority.

Michael Doyle, head of sales and agri-business with Zurich Insurance, said that the company was thrilled to be involved in the initiative for the third year in a row.

"As one of the country's leading providers of farm insurance, we are proud to continue as title sponsor of these prestigious awards, which are now an annual highlight in the farming calendar," he said.

"The Farmer of the Year Awards highlight the dedication and innovation which has been witnessed in the farming community over the past few years, and celebrate the high achievers in the industry. We are delighted to be involved in recognising these successes and look forward to seeing this year's entries."

-Independant Farming

10 Low-cost Investments to Improve Farm Productivity

10 Low-cost Investments to Improve Farm Productivity

-Beef farmer Ciaran Lenehan, Co Meath

Relative to our milk-producing neighbours, the level of investment on suckler farms is decidedly low.

It is hard to justify substantial spending in an industry where margins can be feeble and return on investment is not readily evident. However, outlined below are 10 low-cost investments that will act to improve farm productivity without breaking the bank.

1. ICBF HerdPlus

For a mere €60, we receive a full breakdown on herd-performance. Every necessary detail is at our fingertips. It can be the foundation for any productive herd as a helpful measure of herd fertility and output per cow. In addition, the service is a guide for culling decisions, sire selection and a medium for record keeping.

2. Silage sampling

Knowing what’s in the clamp can help hugely with feed-budgeting. For example, where weanlings are to return to spring grass, 72% DMD silage plus 1kg of meal will suffice. At 65% DMD, we need to feed 2kg of meal daily. Fifty calves on the poorer quality silage will need an extra 7.5t of meal over a five-month winter. Expect to pay €30 per sample.

3. Weight recording service

Though pricey at €100 per 30 animals in finishing situations, accurate drafting of animals adds value in itself. As well as incurring pricing penalties, over-finished animals are inefficient. Though there are excellent stock judges out there, being ‘‘off’’ by 20kg can be the equivalent of almost €50 worth of carcass weight. We know what growth rates to expect from certain breeds and genders. Hence, we can draft or adjust groups accordingly. When adjusting groups, avoid re-mixing bulls.

4. Calving cameras

Possibly the most worthwhile investment of the 10; with cameras in place we assume complete control of the calving process. A farmer knows exactly when to intervene or, perhaps more importantly, when to leave things alone. Constant checking disturbs both man and beast – cameras are a no-brainer where even a moderate number are due to calve. At home, our calving cameras have been the best investment in memory. Prices vary hugely, but a fit-for-purpose device can be obtained for less than €100.

5. Scanning

Empty cows are but expensive slurry producers. Unless they can provide external income via flushing or showing, or carry genetics that we need to keep in the herd, they should be aimed for a lairage. If numbers are small, we can pay up to €5 per head. Prices will decrease as more animals are scanned.

6. Soil sampling

Farms should be soil-tested every five years. Staggeringly, data suggests that over 90% of holdings are deficient in at least one nutrient, which will negatively affect growth even if all of the others are at optimum levels. Aim for index 3 for both P and k, adjusting fertiliser mixes accordingly. Also, if pH is too low we are effectively wasting fertiliser regardless of nutrient index.

7. Heat detection

In AI-based breeding regimes, rigid heat detection practices are crucial. All else being equal, a missed heat translates to 20kg less potential weaning weight, provided she conceives on her next ovulation. For AI to be worthwhile, our ability to detect must be as good as the bull’s. Cows should be fitted with a detection-aid 40 days post-calving. Also, carry out pre-breeding in the weeks leading up to breeding and estimate potential bulling dates. Our detection aid of choice is a scratch card-based sticker. Strength of the adhesive is the draw here – I often find myself pulling them off at housing in November. The said patches are €1.50 a pop. Choose emulsion-based tail paint if this proves too expensive.

8. Grazing infrastructure

Investments eight and nine go hand-in-hand. Grass is the unavoidable buzzword and the cornerstone of Irish livestock production. Yet, beef producers waste nearly half of what they grow. Operating a paddock system will ramp up utilisation, while grazing tight early in the season will ensure that subsequent grass quality is excellent. Splitting a 50m-wide field will cost €25, provided an electric perimeter fence is already in place. Good quality wire can be bought at €0.07/m with posts costing €2.75. In theory, we should never need more than two splitting wires per grazing group.

9. Water troughs/extension pipe

Water points are the limiting factor for many when paddock systems are suggested. Heavy-duty, portable troughs can be purchased for €80. Also, appropriate piping is €1/m if we wish to move current troughs to more practical locations. Piping can run over ground should the intention be to move drinkers with cattle. Our temporary fences are already in place. Hence, a paddock system can now be operated quite easily. Overnight, we can drastically improve utilisation and increase our stock carrying ability.

10. Learn

Farm walks, seminars and open days are invaluable sources of research. In what other industry do those at the proverbial ‘‘top’’ open their doors and allow potential competitors unrestricted access to the complete workings of their enterprise? Little tweaks and tricks learned from these days are often more helpful than the subject matter itself. Tom might produce a 400kg carcase at 15 months, but the most valuable message taken from the day could be the layout of his crush. These events are often free too.

-Farmers Journal, 29th February.

Calving this spring? Some Great Advice on Farm Safety Around Calving Cows

Calving this spring? Some Great Advice on Farm Safety Around Calving Cows

Farmers must realise that they need to look after themselves when dealing with livestock.

Livestock related accidents accounted for 22% of farm fatalities in 2015, with livestock being associated with 33% of total farm accidents.

Cow attacks around calving time have increased in recent years and this accident cause has now surpassed bull attacks as the number one cause of livestock related deaths.

The following are suggestions from Teagasc Advisers for the safe handling of livestock

Calving Time

When calving, ensure cows/heifers are safely secured in a fully operational calving gate.

Cows generally become very agitated directly after calving.

After a cow calves, leave the cow and calf alone for 20 to 30 minutes to bond. This will allow the cow to calm down.

Remain vigilant at all times. If the calf is not suckling and is weak, safely put the cow back in the calving gate and assist calf to feed or give it some thawed out warm colostrum using bucket with a teat.

Ensure cow is isolated and secure when BVD tagging and inserting DAFM registration tag.

If calving aggression lasts for more than a few days, cull the cow after calf is weaned as aggression is a genetic trait.

During grazing season, never dose/ inject/treat a calf out in the open field, ensure they are safely penned away from their dam.

Children

Young children under seven years should never be allowed near livestock.

Children over seven years need to be accompanied by an adult if approaching any livestock in sheds/fields, especially if cows with calves at foot are present.

Never allow children become involved with cows during or after calving. Keep children away from fields with bulls at all times.

Other Precautions

* Cull any aggressive animals from your farm, such as bulls, cows, rams or stallions, before they become aggressive towards you.

* Exercise extreme caution when handling fractious or “wild” animals on your farm. If bringing such cattle to a mart or abattoir, warn people on the premises of their impending presence.

* Be aware that there is no such thing as a quiet breed of bull. Never turn your back on a bull. A bull can be quiet for years; it may suddenly get angry and attack. If herding or handling a bull always have an escape route planned or have a mobile sanctuary such as a 4 X 4 or tractor ready in case of an attack.

* Always bring a cattle stick when herding/moving stock.

* Keep a fully charged mobile phone on you at all times.

* Only enter cattle/cow pens when it is absolutely necessary. If entering a pen, have an escape route planned.

* When handling/dosing cattle in a crush work in pairs. Know what your partner is doing/positioned at all times. Avoid frightening stock by shouting, use of dogs etc. Use cattle sticks to move stock.

* Never enter a cattle crush when there are cattle in it. Avoid leaving your hands on the rails of a crush when handling or dosing cattle.

* Ensure all parts of the cattle crush, such as the automatic gate or the end gate are working properly. Have a nose tongs or rope available to restrain animals if necessary.

* If releasing a trapped animal caught in a drain, take care, these cattle are frightened and disoriented, they may attack once they are free.

By Anthony O’Connor, Teagasc Advisory