81% of farmers to reconsider future in beef farming after 2016

Some 81% of farmers said they would reconsider their future in beef farming after 2016, a recent Agriland poll has found.

It was a difficult year for beef farmers with the income generated from beef farming sitting between €12,000-16,000.

Beef farmers also had to contend with falling beef prices and volatility in the market caused by a 80,000 head increase in beef cattle supplies and the fallout from the Brexit vote in the UK.Meanwhile, the poll results also show that many farmers don’t see a future for the Irish suckler cow, with 65% of the poll respondents saying they don’t see a future for such enterprises.

This comes after rapid growth in the Irish dairy herd, following the abolition of milk quotas in 2015, which is likely to lead to an increase in the number of dairy-born calves available on the market.

This is further galvanised by the figures from the ICBF which show that an additional 66,210 dairy calvings occurred on Irish farms in 2016 (to the week ending December 16), bringing the number of dairy calvings for 2016 to almost 1.34m head.

When farmers were asked if they would consider making the switch from suckler farming to calf rearing in the future, the response was divided evenly.

Some 50% of farmers said the would consider moving away from suckler farming to calf rearing, while the remaining 50% said they wouldn’t.

Prospects for beef farming in 2017

As part of the recent Teagasc Annual Review and Outlook for 2017, Teagasc Economists indicated that the beef sector is facing into a difficult year ahead.

Beef supplies are forecast to increase across the EU next year, while the demand for beef will not be not particularly strong.

All-in-all this is likely to lead to a 10% fall in European beef prices next year.

And given that the UK market is particularly important for Irish beef exports, the weakness of Sterling will also __have an adverse impact on beef prices in Ireland, which are forecast to fall by 12%, it says.

5 gifts that definitely won’t be under your tree this Christmas

It’s Christmas morning and the world is filled with wonder and glee, but __have you every wondered what presents haven’t made the Christmas wishlist this year.

To enlighten you on this Christmas morn and to make you really appreciate the gifts (if any) you __have received, the team here at Agriland has compiled a list of very, we mean very, unlikely Christmas gifts this year.

1. A blind sheepdog

As the old saying goes a dog is for life and not just for Christmas, but if you happen to stumble down the stairs and find a blind sheepdog, you are sure to question the reasoning behind such a gift.

However, don’t write this present off too quickly as he might still be able to work.

Sheepdogs are a creature of habit and you never know, he might still herd sheep on instinct, but this is not advisable if you farm contains watercourses – believe us on this one folks!

2. Rodent fearing cats

Like the trusted sheepdog, no Irish farm is complete without a cat to keep the vermin at bay.

As useful as a chocolate teapot or a mini skirt on an Angus heifer, a rodent-fearing cat will make you really question the reasoning behind such a marvelous gift.

Some say that these wonderful animals may be allergic to rodents, but we have a feeling they are just pure lazy.

3. A load of the WESHT’S finest turf

Naughty boys and girls, both young and old, may be in for a shock this year when they find their living room filled with a load of the ‘wesht’s’ finest turf.

We have it one good authority from the jolly man in red that he plans to switch from coal to turf in a bid to reduce the emissions generated from his trusted reindeer.

Please don’t ask us where the exhaust pipe is on a reindeer!!

4. A dozen Jersey bull calves

Beef cattle numbers are set to increase this year and with the doom and gloom currently surrounding the market outlook, the last thing you want to see on Christmas morning is a dozen Jersey bull calves.

What could be worse than finding a dozen Jersey bull calves panned out on the floor or your sitting room after a heavy night on the eggnog?

The answer is quite simple really – Two dozen!!

5. A load of the finest golden Barley straw

Poor weather during this year’s harvest has seen the demand for straw rocket and although an extra load of straw would be on the top of many farmer’s wishlists, the likelihood of this happening is extremely unlikely.

First of all how would you get it down the chimney and secondly what farmer would go without a fire of Christmas eve to ensure that the straw does catch light??

5 gift ideas for the little farmer in your life this Christmas

Source: Smyths

Picking the perfect Christmas gift for the little farmer in your life can be tough, but we __have managed to narrow it down to five items.

From tractors, to animals, to farm sets, any budding farmer would adore these presents if they found them under the tree on Christmas morning.

A Wooden Cattle and Machinery Shed

This wooden cattle and machinery shed is sure to take pride of place in any young farmer’s toy farm.

This shed is complete with cubicles, a place to park a toy tractor two and a loft for all the bales.

The shed, which retails at €49.99, will require some assembly and is not suitable for a child under three-years-old.

Source: Smyths

Lego Farm

A Lego farm could be the perfect gift for a younger child this Christmas and it will provide hours of fun.

Suitable for children over 18 months old, this Lego toy farm set can be chopped and changed to create a number of different buildings.

The good news is that it doesn’t require batteries and it retails at just €17.99.

Source: Smyths

John Deere Roarin’ Tractor

With this impressive machine a little farmer won’t __have to make his own engine sounds as the toy can already do it itself.

The John Deere features motion activated engine sounds when pushed along, while there are some other light and sound actions.

It will require three AA batteries, but they are included with the toy, which retails at €26.99. 

Source: Smyths

Massey Ferguson Tractor

This Massey Ferguson 6613 tractor is a 1:32 size model which has a rear hitch that is compatible with all 1:32 size accessories.

The toy doesn’t require batteries and is suitable for children who are three-years-old and older.

A perfect gift idea for any budding farmer and it is available for €24.99.

Source: Smyths

A Silage Trailer

If the little farmer in your life already has a number of tractors why not choose an accessory that they can play with alongside their favourite tractors.

This 1:32 size model Kane silage trailer will have any farming child imagining they are the biggest contractor in the parish.

The trailer has an automatic opening door when the trailer tips up, rear wheel steering and a special spring loaded hitch to soften the impact on the tractor hitch when transporting heavy loads.

It doesn’t require batteries and is compatible with most other 1:32 size models, while it retails at €23.99.

Source: Smyths

All products are available in Smyths Toys Superstore and online at www.SmythsToys.com.

Christmas tractor run expected to attract over 200 participants

Valtra

A Christmas charity tractor run due to place tomorrow, Tuesday, December 27, in Co. Limerick is set to attract over 200 participants.

The annual tractor run is now in it’s seventh year, according to William Bourke, who is a member of the Anglesboro Vintage Club which organises the run.

“We decided to set up the run a few years ago and it has continued to progress. It has helped to develop the community spirit.

“Our numbers __have held around the 200 mark for the last few years but we’re hoping to improve on that number this year,” he said.

The Christmas tractor run, which is in aid of the Irish Kidney Association, is an ideal opportunity for farmers to bring out their tractors, Bourke added.

Everything is quiet on the farm and some of the women could be gone off shopping, so lads can hop up on the tractor for the day.

“Tractors of all sizes are invited to take part, from modern to vintage. A few vintage cars will also take part, we don’t discriminate,” he said.

Registration for the charity tractor run will begin at 9.30am and a charge of €20 will be in place, while the run is expected to take off from the Anglesboro community hall in Co. Limerick at 12pm on December 27.

The tractor run is expected to attract drivers from across counties Limerick, Tipperary and Cork, Bourke said.

Lads could get on their tractor at 8 o’clock in the morning and drive 20 or 30 miles before they get to us.

“Then they set off on the 20 mile run and __have a bit of craic when the return before beginning the journey home,” he said.

The tractor run should take between an hour to an hour and a half to complete, with refreshments back in the community centre following the event.

Any vintage cars which take part in the event will set off on a different route, which will be about 50 miles long, Bourke said.

Some other fundraising events are also set to take place on the day, including a charity auction and a raffle.

How does agricultural income compare to the ‘industrial wage’?

This year has been tough for farmers, as recent figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the value of Irish agricultural output at farm-gate prices fell by 2.9%.

Estimates from the CSO show that the value of cattle output decreased by by 2.1% or €51m, while the value of milk produced declined by 6.2%, even though milk intakes increased by 4.7%.

But what does this mean for agricultural income?

The CSO estimates that all of the farms in Ireland generated a total income of €2,149.4m in 2016 – an increase of 5.3% or €107.8m year-on-year.

Basing this on the last available figure from the CSO, which shows that there were 139,600 farms in Ireland, it brings the average income across all farms to almost €15,470.

This figure represents the agriculture income generated across all Irish farms, irregardless of enterprise, and it excludes earnings generated from off-farm employment.

When compared to the ‘industrial wage’ or the average annual earnings from 2015, it shows the stark differences between the income generated by agriculture and other sectors.

Back in 2015, the average annual earnings stood at €36,519, more than double than the estimated income generated from each individual farm in 2016.

Subsidies boost farm incomes

Despite the estimated fall in the value of agricultural output, the total agricultural income generated is predicted to increase.

The CSO estimates that agricultural income will be up by 5.3% or €107.8m this year on 2015 levels. Meanwhile the agricultural operating surplus is expected to jump by 3.5% or €88m year-on-year.

The rise in operating surplus in 2016 can be attributed to an increase of 16.9% in the value of net subsidies and a decrease of 1.6% in the value of total intermediate consumption, which was mainly driven by the lower cost of fertilisers and energy.

The value of other subsidies less taxes on production is estimated to __have increased by 10% from €1,402m in 2015 to €1,542m in 2016, figures from the CSO show.

The increase is mainly due to a number of new direct payment schemes, which started in 2015, becoming fully operational in 2016.

However, the CSO also says that expenditure on retail feedstuffs increased by 3.7% to reach €1,366m.

Man (84) dies in farm accident involving cattle in Galway

An 84-year-old farmer has died in Co. Galway after he was involved in a farm accident while he was moving cattle.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed to Agriland that the man was pronounced dead at the scene today, December 22, and removed to University Hospital Galway.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Gardai are investigating the accident which happened in Athenry. This is the third farm death to occur on an Irish farm this month.

Yesterday, the news broke that a 59-year-old man died following a farm accident near Schull, Co. Cork over the weekend.

The man suffered fatal injuries after falling from a 10 foot height whilst working on his own. It is understood that the victim fell through a roof.

It is also understood that the victim died at the scene on Friday as a result of the injuries sustained and local emergency were called to the accident on Saturday.

Earlier this month, a man in his 70s died following a farm accident in Co. Tipperary after he was crushed under the vehicle he was working under.

The incident happened in Cullen, Co. Tipperary and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Today’s farm death brings the number of fatalities on Irish farms this year to 21. In November, three people died on Irish farms.

HSA figures show that farming continues to be the most hazardous occupation in Ireland, consistently reporting the highest number of fatalities in comparison to other sectors over the last number of years.

Scientists develop system to remove phosphorus from slurry

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists __have developed a mobile system for removing phosphorus from cattle and, potentially, pig slurries.

This system may offer farmers greater flexibility in terms of where, when, and how they use the nutrient to fertilise crops.

The idea behind the Manure Phosphorus Extraction System (MAPHEX) is to remove the phosphorus and concentrate it in a form that’s easier to manage, according to Clinton Church, an environmental chemist with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

“Hauling slurry off the farm to new locations where it can be spread isn’t always practical or economical,” he said.

However, transporting concentrated phosphorus from the new treatment method could offer a less costly alternative

Church is part of a team that has developed and tested MAPHEX as a way for farmers to not only ‘mine’ phosphorus from their manure stores but also market the nutrient as a value-added product.

To do this, the team mounted an auger press, centrifuge, vacuum-filter unit, and other components on top of two trailer beds so that the entire system could be driven to a farm and operated onsite. This allows the system’s use on either a daily or rotational basis depending, on the size of the dairy operation.

According to Church, the system can service 10 small farms on a 10-day rotational basis. On a larger farm, such as one with 2,000 cows, the system could operate over 24 hours. MAPHEX works quickly.

In about 10 minutes, for example, it can extract 99% of the phosphorus from 250 gallons of slurry. It also removes the smell from the manure.

Church added that testing for pig manures is planned for this coming winter and spring.

“The system should work equally well on pig slurries: with one caveat.

“Provided the pigs are fed the enzyme phytase in their feed mixture it should work equally well.

“However, the current chemistry used would not remove phytate, which contains significant quantities of phosphorous, from pig slurries. MAPHEX should also work more efficiently on pig slurries, in terms of the gallons treated per hour.”