Year: 2022

The good news for Irish farms is that it’s likely that geothermal energy could be used in processes such as heating and cooling buildings, and possibly even to produce electricity. This is according to a new government report which highlights its potential. While geothermal energy has been harnessed in volcanic regions such as Iceland, Italy, and New Zealand for some time, recent developments have now opened up the possibility for…

The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has published new codes of professional conduct for veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurse practitioners. These come into effect on January 28, 2022. The revised Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners consists of eight chapters of guidance, based on values at the core of veterinary professions, while the revised Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses consists of six chapters. The new codes aim to maintain public confidence in…

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, is processing a new Croí Conaithe (towns) fund. This falls under the Housing For All scheme. The grant is part of a multi-pronged approach to tackle unoccupied and dilapidated buildings across the country. Independent TD for Galway East, Sean Canney, reinforces that grants aimed at supporting people to buy derelict properties “need to be effective”. It is hoped that the…

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture has made discussions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction technology a priority in the upcoming weeks. This is according to chair Jackie Cahill TD. “The first thing on the agenda will be a joint meeting with the climate advisory council to give people who have technologies that can reduce emissions a platform to discuss their technologies,” Cahill said. The committee chair is confident that…

Last year, August 2021, saw the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, announce the decision to proceed with mandatory electronic identification (EID) for cattle. Details of a financial support package to assist farmers in the move towards mandatory EID for cattle were also discussed. Payments for EID cattle tags will be calculated on the number of new EID tag sets purchased from January 1, 2022, at a rate of…

After what he describes as “exhaustive” negotiations with colleagues from over 20 Member States, Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher feels he is “one step closer to getting rid of the impracticable and damaging proposals” on pregnant and unweaned animals from the ANIT recommendation. The comes after his success at convincing his Renew Europe colleagues to table alternative amendments last week. Kelleher managed to secured support for the re-tabling of original…

A report by the Parliamentary Budget Office has found a “collapse” in home ownership rates among adults of prime working age from 25 to 54 in the Republic. This is attributed to rising rents and surging house prices. It determined that current house prices were six to seven times average salaries, making housing “severely unaffordable” for many workers. It is evident that after the 2008 financial crisis, earnings declined and…

Tuesday’s auctions on LSL. Register at www.lslauctions.com to take part. *Details correct at the time of publication. Auctions are subject to change without notification.

Thursday’s auctions on LSL. Register at www.lslauctions.com to take part. *Details correct at the time of publication. Auctions are subject to change without notification.

Saturday’s auctions on LSL. Register at www.lslauctions.com to take part. *Details correct at the time of publication. Auctions are subject to change without notification.

A new beef-production scheme for farmers will see ABP pay an additional 20c/kg ‘sustainability bonus’ to eligible beef farmers. The beef processor announced the scheme on January 14, 2022. The Advantage Beef Programme will focus on all aspects of sustainability. The venture is open to beef, dairy and suckler farmers and will guarantee a sustainability bonus of 20c/kg for all animals reared to agreed protocols, ABP said. This will be paid in addition to any relevant quality assurance…

A survey by The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) has found that 90 pc of 189 estate agents surveyed in December 2021 expect property prices to increase this year. This could range from a 5 pc advance in Dublin, Leinster and Munster to a 7 pc increase in Connacht and Ulster. This was attributed to property supply shortages, pent-up demand and pandemic savings which all continued to drive activity. The estate agents found that…

Lot 1, QUINN PROPERTY Croneyhorn, Carnew, Co. Wicklow Y14 KX95. For Sale By On-Line Auction on 15 February, 2022, at 3pm. Quinn Property brings to auction via LSL Auctions a well-located two-story cottage on a C. 1 acre site. Whilst this quaint cottage is in need of total refurbishment and upgrading, it offers an abundance of potential. The residence is located on a spacious C. 1 acre site. With excellent…

Recent advances in technology are transformed the farming landscape. Speaking at CES 2022 in Las Vegas, Jahmy Hindman, chief technology officer at John Deere, enthused that “farmers need autonomy now”, and that, autonomous tractors “will help change the world”. He added that: “You fast forward a century from those first tractors, and you’ll find some of the most advanced robotic machines are being used on the farm to feed the world.…

Global dairy markets appear relatively strong, with a general balance in supply and demand worldwide and strong demand in Asia. Lakeland Dairies observes that normal global trading patterns and market trends have been affected by disruption caused by the Covid-19 variant, which has had a moderating effect on economic activity across every continent. The diary has set its December 2021 milk price, becoming the first processor to do so. A…

With the EU leaning towards a ban on the transport of animals under 35 days, Bord Bia has begun assessing other options. The state agency is investigating potential markets for older weaned calves, as a possible alternative to the unweaned calf export trade. Bord Bia Livestock Sector Manager Seamus McMenamin states that: “Feedback from key export markets has indicated a stable demand for Irish calves for the incoming 2022 season.…

The latest meat and livestock exports increased by 4% to €3.5 billion in 2021. This is according to the Export Performance and Prospects 2021/2022 report published by Bord Bia on January 12, 2022. The figures indicate strong performance despite last year’s challenges. Individual sectors experienced differing market trends. The state agency found a strong demand and higher prices in beef and sheepmeat, but a weaker market for poultry and pigmeat. Meat and…

Year six of the Sheep Welfare Scheme will begin on February 1, 2022. The scheme was opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, who urged all eligible new entrants to the sheep sector who wish to participate to return their forms by the launch deadline. In a statement issued on January 11th, 2022, the minister said: “I was very pleased to be able to secure additional…

Minister for Agriculture Edwin Poot has come under fire by Stormont’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) committee chairman, Declan McAleer, who highlights that future agricultural policy proposals look sketchy in key areas. Minister Poot recently published a consultation on future agriculture policy proposals centred around themes of productivity, environmental sustainability, improved resilience and a responsive supply chain. McAleer asserts that whilst the policy does provide details of the proposed resilience…

With confirmation of the latest EU data indicating that inflation across the eurozone rose by a further record 5% in December 2021, it is obvious that huge pressure is being exerted on people’s finances – putting many into a crisis situation. Deputy Mattie Mc Grath, leader of the Rural Independent Group of TDs, warns that “spiralling” inflation is having a “major” impact on workers and families. The group’s view is…

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) annual Big Farmland Bird Count has long offered insight into the health of the UK’s birdlife. And, once again, gamekeepers, farmers and land managers across Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales are being called to take part. This year’s event will take place on February 4-20, 2022. The GWCT’s Dr. Roger Draycott states that, “Farmers and gamekeepers are vital in helping to ensure the…

Settled but colder in the south with fog and low cloud slow to clear in places. Milder further north with cloud, rain and stronger winds at first.

Mist and fog will slowly clear on Friday morning but could linger in some eastern and northern parts of the country. Therewill be a mix of cloud and sunny breaks with some coastal patches of drizzle. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9C during the day, in light southeasterly breezes.Mist and fog will become more widespread in the evening. Continuing dry for most with just some light rain in coastal areas. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4C.

Farm-building contractors will soon be bound by new legislation, and providers of building services will be required to register with Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI). The Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2021 will apply to builders of both residential and non-residential buildings subject to Irish building regulations. Currently around 800 building and contracting entities are recorded on the register, but according to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH),…