Country Life with MJ Cleary Wednesday October 9th 2024

On the programme this week MJ chats to Marty Murphy from IFAC about Budget 2025 and what it will mean for farmers. With more money being given to most sectors it's predominantly good news but IFAC are concerned about the "active farmer" test and what it will mean for farmers in nursing homes who plan to pass land over to the next generation. Tim Ashmore Principal of Kildalton College chats about their upcoming open day for students which will include a demonstration of their bovine simulator which allows students to gain real world experience when studying. Brian Nicholson a sheep farmer from Co. Kilkenny and Aidan Maguire a beef farmer from Co. Meath chat about the awards they picked up at the FBD/Teagasc Enviornmental Sustainability Awards which were held in Portlaoise this week. Joe Burke from Bord Bia chats about upcoming changes to the Quality Assurance Scheme. He speaks about how the scheme needs to be updated to keep pace with the everchanging global food market and the desires of consumers.

On the programme this week Sarah McIntosh from the Irish Farmers Journal chats to MJ about the announcement at last weeks National Ploughing Championships that two new vet schools are to be opened in Ireland which will add 80 vet places for third level students. Mike Brady from the Brady Group chats about how farmers need to be more cognisant of their carbon footprint and how policy needs to change to pay farmers properly to ensure that environmental schemes with the aim of lowering GHGs do not lessen income for farmers. Alison Duncan from Fleming Agri Products, David Rice from David Rice Engineering, Teres Malanaphy from M TEC and Desmond Savage from Moonsyst speak about their respective agri businesses live from the National Ploughing Championships.

Countrylife is brought to you live from the National Ploughing Championships this week in Ratheniska Co. Laois this week where Minister Charlie McConalogue joins MJ to chat about the Vet Medicines Regulations where the Minister defends the change in legislation even though smaller merchants may well be forced to close as a result of the loss of dosing products from their shelves. Fertiliser usage on farms, anaerobic digestion and payments for rearing dairy calves are other topics up for discussion.

On the programme this week MJ chats to Adam Woods from the Irish Farmers Journal about the cattle trade and how live exports are really underpinning the current strong market demand. Martin O Reilly from Co. Laois chats about his recent achievements at the FBD Young Farmer Awards for dairying and biodiversity. Áine Regan from Teagasc speaks about new research where Teagasc are looking for farmers to take part in a survey on animal health. Oliver Guirke from the Fore Distillery in Co. Westmeath speaks about his business and the distilling process for Poitín where he uses grain as opposed to potatoes.

Country Life with MJ Clery

On the programme this week MJ chats to Teresa Roche from the Family Farm Committe where they are lobbying for a retirement scheme to encourage next generation transfer in agriculture. Declan Hanrahan Livestock Chair from the IFA chats about the beef trade and how details are needed on the in person SCEP training courses that were announced earlier this year by the Minister for Agriculture. Fiona O Malley from Turn2Me chats about mental health and how having a dog in your life can really help people who are finding things difficult. Sarah McIntosh from the Irish Farmers Journal speaks about the first round Leaving Cert offers which have just been issued. Sarah chats about what to do if you have received your offer and what to do if things have not gone to plan.

Country Life with MJ Clery every Wednesday from 7pm on Midlands 103. Keep up with everything agriculture and beyond.

On the programme this week, it is all about the Tullamore Show as the annual event is taking place this week. Kalem McNamara head of Livestock at the show joins MJ for a chat as to how preparations are going on site. Paul Fox from Teagasc speaks about a scale model which will be on show at the Teagasc stand to document what farmers can do to enhance water quality on farms. Stephen Robb from the Irish Farmers Journal speaks about a 40 million euro biomethane grant which was launched today. John Dunne Teagasc Signpost farmer from Portarlington and Paul Nolan from Dawn Meats speak about the Sustainability Village which will be at Tullamore Show this weekend. Jim Dockery chats about the demonstration taking place on the FRS stand at Tullamore Show where real animals will be used in their farm safety demonstrations.

On the programme this week MJ chats to IFA Poultry Chair Nigel Sweetnam about how Lidl are selling German eggs on Irish supermarket shelves. This is because of the huge downward price pressure the supermarket has put on egg producers forcing many to leave the industry as a result of being paid such poor prices. Eoin Lowry head of Agri with Bank of Ireland chats about the bank's financial results for the first 6 months of this year which shows the financial institution making a pre tax profit of 1.1 billion euro. Siobhán Walsh from the Irish Farmers Journal chats about the new Bailing Assistance Payment which will now run alongside the recently reinstated Straw Incorporation Measure. John Connell author from Co. Longford chats about his recent publication "Twelve Sheep" and comments on a clip from North Tipperary sheep farmer Amy Jackson from Lacka Organic Lamb on resuscitating a new born lamb " a private moment of wonder" as John says, something which every farmer can associate with.