LSL News Archives - Page 59 of 61

LSL News

Avian influenza found in wild birds

There have been reports of numbers of wild birds contracting avian influenza. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that since 3 November 2021, 80 wild birds in Ireland have tested positive for the pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. The DAFM noted that the environment may also be contaminated by wild bird droppings. According to a department spokesperson, this indicates that infection pressure from bird flu…

10 Tips to ensure bull fertility in breeding season

As calving season on many farms is nearing an end, breeding season is almost here. According to Teagasc, calving season 2023 will depend on when you start breeding season in the coming weeks, and with four out of every five calves born on beef farms sired by a stock bull, a stock bull’s fertility is very important. Beef Specialist Catherine Egan explains that the stock bull on your farm is…

Comment on the river basin management plan

The deadline for submissions regarding views on the draft river basin management plan is this Thursday, 31 March, 2022. The scheme, which will run from 2022 to 2027, is intended to help improve the country’s water environment. Sustainable management of Ireland’s natural waters and the protection of freshwater resources to maintain the country’s water environment are key elements. The draft river basin management plan suggests that a 50% cut in…

Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme 2022 initiated

The Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme (KTG) for 2022 has opened, allowing participants the opportunity to learn from the experts and from each other’s experiences within a group setting. Minister of State for Biodiversity and Land Use, senator, Pippa Hackett says that she is delighted to reopen the Forestry KTG scheme for a fourth year. The aim of the scheme is to increase the level of forest management activity among…

Fewer contractors tendering for public housing contracts

Chairman of the County and City Management Association’s committee on housing and land-use, Frank Curran, yesterday said that ceilings imposed by the Department of Housing in 2021 on how much councils could spend on housing construction need to be reviewed. This comes as an Oireachtas committee were told that new social housing projects risk being jeopardised unless authorities are allowed to pay developers more. Addressing the Oireachtas housing committee Mr Curran said…

Veterinary Practice Survey reveals skills shortage

The annual Veterinary Practice Survey has revealed that there is a recruitment crisis facing the sector, due to a growth in demand for services from vets. The survey conducted by advisory firm HLB Sheehan Quinn, shows that this is mainly due to an increase in pet ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings additionally indicate that the sector is facing “an acute talent shortage”. Statistics released, indicate that 27%…

50% increase in the cost of building a farm shed due to inflation

Inflation in the price of steel and timber has led to the cost of building an average farm shed rising by 50% since 2020. The price of steel has risen by 70% compared to two years ago, while timber has doubled with a full 100% increase reported. This has resulted to farm leaders exerting pressure on Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue to implement revised costings under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). Farmers are…

Support package for NI agricultural shows

Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots has announced a £200,000 support package for agricultural shows in Northern Ireland (NI). This comes as the events are expected to commence within the coming months. With the announcement of the scheme, each show will be able to claim up to a maximum of £10,000 for new, or increased costs. According to Minister Poots many businesses and sectors were adversely affected…

Sheep trade sees another increase in prices

There has been an increase in sheep trade this week, with base prices for hoggets increasing by 10c/kg leaving quotes ranging from €6.85/kg up to €7.05/kg. Irish Country Meats is on base of €6.85/kg plus a 10c/kg quality assurance (QA) bonus for hoggets, while Kildare Chilling has moved up to a base of €7.00/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for hoggets. Producer groups are securing prices of up to €7.40/kg…

Significant increase in house prices, REA Average Price Survey finds

The average house price has increased by 3.16% nationally during the first three months of the year. This is according to the REA Average House Price Survey, which also revealed that 60% of all purchasers were first-time buyers. The survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home which is a three-bedroom semi. According to the report it shows that the price of a three-bedroom semi-detached house…

Microbiological Challenges for Artisan/Small Food Producers

Teagasc will host a seminar titled Microbiological Challenges for Artisan/Small Food Producers: How to Make Safer Food. This informative presentation will be held on Wednesday, 30 March, 2022 from 9am – 3:30pm at the Teagasc Food Research Centre at Moorepark. The programme will feature food scientists from the Teagasc Food Research Programme and University of Limerick who will present the latest research on microbial food safety in dairy, vegetable and…

TD questions the lack of engagement by Bord na Móna

Serious doubts have emerged regarding Bord na Móna’s (BNM) communication’s process, as all contact from local growers with the company has been unsuccessful thus far. The semi-state company has been tasked with assisting professional growers in securing supplies of peat for horticulture. Tipperary Sinn Féin TD, Martin Browne, has expressed concerns to Bord na Móna representatives at their level of engagement with members of professional growers in the horticultural industry who…

2022 Call for Proposals in Agriculture announced

A collaboration between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the U.S has been in operation for 16 years, and together they have announced the 2022 Call for Proposals in Agriculture. The partnership, under the US-Ireland Research and Development is a product of the Northern Ireland Peace Process. It involves these governments working together for scientific progress by awarding grants for research on a competitive basis. The partnership was launched in 2006 and…

Launch of the revamped Kuhn Optimer model

Kuhn’s latest 600hp tractor, the Kuhn Optimer model, is set to make waves in the agricultural sector as its 12m width is claimed to maintain a uniform working depth at high speeds. It features a steady control system, which additionally exerts equal pressure across the full width of the machine. Believed to be a range that compensates for ground contours, it performs impeccably regardless of land and soil conditions. …

Apartments take the lead in Dublin’s new housing sector

An analysis of Department of Housing statistics by Goodbody Stockbrokers has showed that most new housing units currently being built in Dublin are apartments. These are either being built as social housing or financed by cuckoo funds. As such, only a limited number of these units will be made available for purchase. Dermot O’Leary, a Goodbody economist has fingered planning blockages through the courts for overall construction levels falling back.…

Customers likely to soon face higher milk prices

As farmers absorb more and more production costs, customers are likely to face higher milk prices when buying a pint. This has been echoed by diary giant Arla. As the business sets out its plan for the next five years, company boss Ash Amirahmadi says, “We are calling time on cheap milk. If you look at what we’re paying our farmers today, we’re paying over 30% more than we were…

Buyers attracted to large rural farmland properties, report reveals

Buyers for rural properties have gone up, according to a property market report for 2021, which shows an increasing interest in large farmland properties. According to the Savills report it illustrates that 39% of buyers in the Irish market came from the UK and beyond. It adds that this trend is not unusual. There were more customers for larger properties, with 68% of successful transactions conducted by Savills concluded after…

Increase in beef consumption expected by 2030

Global beef consumption is expected to increase by 1.4% % year-on-year up to 2030. This is according to Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) chief executive, Ian Stevenson. He was commenting after attending the first of the Andersons Centre Spring Seminar in London. The Andersons Centre event addressed the opportunities and threats confronting agri-food, both in the long and short-term. Stevenson claims that “livestock farmers throughout the UK know full well…

Macra na Feirme says a dairy retirement scheme would attract young farmers

Macra na Feirme, the young farmer organisation, has commented that a potential retirement scheme for the dairy sector could result in higher numbers of active young farmers. “For a number of years, Macra na Feirme has highlighted that a retirement scheme is needed across all the farming sectors to ensure financial security for the farmer who is stepping back – but also that the necessary supports are in place to…

Most farmland buyers used cash for their purchases, survey finds

The latest survey conducted by Real Estate Alliance (REA) has revealed that 59% of farmland buyers used their own cash reserves to buy their property, while over 34% negotiated a part-mortgage. The figures are a surprise, as it was expected that land buyers would return to bank borrowing as money from development land and road CPOs from the boom years had dried up. The survey also revealed that other sources…

European Commission launches new fund

As food security is high on the agenda of discussions by the European Commission, it has announced a €500 million fund for food producers. Reports suggest that of that Ireland will be receiving just over €15 million, and each member state can then provide further funding up to 200% of their national envelope this equates to a further €30 million for Ireland. With the latest funding announcement, the government…

Online Auctions – Saturday’s Calendar 26/03/2022

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.

Household budgets being hit hard by stepped-up inflation

Chief economist at KBC Bank Austin Hughes says that many households are likely to face a palpable drop in living standards this year. “We estimate that the step-up in inflation between 2021 and 2022 will drain around €4bn from consumer spending power, implying a hit to the average household of just over €2,000.” The results of the latest KBC Bank Consumer Sentiment Index come as the Economic and Social Research…

Reduction of emissions focus of Committee talks

The reduction of emissions in the agricultural sector is a topic of vital importance in the global setting. Due to this the Committees on Agriculture and Climate Action held a joint meeting earlier this week to discuss this topic and the results thereof. In an effort to adhere to the commitments posed, Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy, Jackie Cahill welcomed the meeting, saying…

Businesses urged to participate in new NI Soil Nutrient Scheme

Businesses in Northern Ireland have been urged to participate in the new Soil Nutrient Scheme (SNHS) as they would be able to benefit from what it could offer. This comes as Minister for Agriculture, Environmental and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots announced the launch of the Northern Ireland Soil Nutrient Scheme. The initiative is expected to be rolled out in zonal phases over a 4-year period, with an investment of £45…

Good start to the year for manufacturer Lemken

German manufacturer Lemken has reported a 22% increase in sales for the past business year, despite facing COVID-19 restrictions. With a sales volume of €446 million, the latest figures are a new high for the 242-year-old family business. According to the company incoming orders have exceeded expectations. Lemken says production was optimally maintained throughout the year. Additionally it reports an increase of staff, with a total of 1,697 employees at…

ICOS pushes for protection of family farms

When the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and Food Vision Group met earlier this week, ICOS raised the matter that there is a need for family farms to be protected, and given options to grow in a sustainable manner. Discussions at the meeting revolved around concerns facing the dairy industry. The group has been tasked with prospecting ways for the dairy sector to help achieve targets for agriculture and land…

LSL Select Price Report – Sheep Mart 05/12/2022

LSL Select Price Report – Cattle Mart 24/03/2022

Thursday’s selected Cattle Mart Price Report: Copyright LSL Auctions. WN 300-400KG Avg Price/KgAAX 2.12/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:CHX, 300kg 2.47/kg 740.00LMX, 325kg 2.46/kg 800.00AAX, 397kg 2.27/kg 900.00AAX, 325kg 1.97/kg 640.00FRX, 365kg 1.81/kg 660.00SH, 385kg 1.79/kg 690.00 CO 300-400KG Avg Price/KgFR 1.33/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:FR, 385kg 1.69/kg 650.00LMX, 365kg 1.07/kg 390.00FR, 370kg 0.97/kg 360.00 CO 400-500KG Avg Price/KgFR 1.56/kgFRX 1.21/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:FR, 470kg 2.09/kg 980.00SIX, 440kg 2.05/kg 900.00FR, 485kg 2.02/kg 980.00HEX, 485kg 1.88/kg 910.00FR,…

Online Auctions – Friday’s Calendar 25/03/2022

Friday’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.

Women farmers still face challenges in the agricultural sector

The Northern Ireland Assembly’s publication on the status of women farmers in the agricultural sector highlights existing gender disparities. The report is titled, Breaking the Grass Ceiling – Challenges Women Experience in the Local Agricultural Sector. Challenges that were isolated include gaining ownership of farms and land, caring responsibilities, a lack of support from family, underrepresentation of women role models and gender bias in the industry are the main challenges…