SHARING OPTIONS:
The fully spec 2200 gallon OBE slurry tanker and trailing shoe was chosen for its low centre of gravity to suit the hilly West Cork terrain.
Over 30 years ago, four French farmers started to share a round baler in western France. Now Contrevents Verts Co-op owns a fleet of over 45 machines, with balers, trailers, manure spreaders, a tractor, ploughs, harrows and sub-soilers.
The co-op also built a solar-powered shed and has 37 members and nine committee members. When it wants to buy a machine, it puts 20% of its value into the CUMA share capital and borrows the rest.
This was one of the farms that the Kilnamartrya discussion group from Cork visited when it went on a fact-finding mission to learn about machine sharing in France.
April 29, 2021 2:49 pm
Farmers and rural Ireland support climate action – but achieving environmental targets must be balanced with the sector’s “competitive role in producing high-quality, nutritious food at a reasonably low cost”, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said.
Commenting on the matter, IFA president Tim Cullinan said: “Farmers are committed to playing their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“But policymakers cannot underestimate the scale of the challenge and must provide a framework to make this feasible for the sector,” he said.
“Co-investment must continue to support farmers to remain competitive and sustainable as they transition through these changes.”
09 April 2021
Bryan Donnelly, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare
Low Emissions Slurry Spreading technology or LESS for short, has become a more common sight across the fields of Galway in recent years. Machinery such as umbilical pipes, dribble bars, trailing shoes and injection systems have been replacing the traditional splash plate for many reasons. Greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions are very topical at present. As livestock farming in Ireland is responsible for 99% of ammonia emissions we as farmers have a major part to play in there reduction. The use of LESS technology is a key player in this respect due to its ability to reduce ammonia emissions by up to 60%.
Improving water quality: ‘Breaking the pathway of phosphorus and sediment entering waterways’
Reporter:
Teagasc Soils & Environment Adviser, Castlere
Slurry should only be applied when soil temperatures are above 6 degrees and ground conditions and weather forecast are suitable );
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When farmers are applying fertilisers, cultivating, grazing or draining land close to watercourses, careful land management can minimise the risk of Phosphorus and sediment loss and help improve water quality.
Nutrient application followed by significant rainfall on poorly draining and low permeability soils leads to overland flow transporting nutrients to waterbodies. Targeted fertiliser application at optimum times, particularly on low permeability soils, along with suitable land management can help mitigate against the risk of phosphorus & sediment making their way to our rivers and streams. Farmers should have a Nutrient Management Plan for the farm prepared and implemented to ensure
February 8, 2021 4:31 pm
New regulations for farm roadways and waters came into effect last month on January 1, 2021 – but what does this mean for Irish farmers?
Mark Treacy, a Teagasc dairy advisor based in Clonakilty, provided an explainer for farmers as to what has changed.
“The new measures aim to further reduce Irish farming’s environmental footprint, with particular regard to water, climate and air quality,” Treacy said.
New on-farm measures aimed at further reducing Irish farming’s environmental footprint, with particular regard to water, climate and air quality, were signed into law by the government on November 20.
This, the advisor explained, introduced many new on-farm requirements, with effect from January 1, 2021. These on-farm requirements will vary from farm to farm depending on the farms stocking rate in the previous calendar year.