Tag Archives: Teagasc

Against a background of an upsurge in farm deaths, Teagasc and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will hold a national conference on Farm Safety and Health on Thursday, August 21 in Kilkenny. Eighteen fatalities have taken place so far in 2014, which is two more than the total for all of 2013, One of the most recent fatal accidents involved a child in the midlands whose grandparents are in Quin. The National Conference is being held in association with the Farm Safety Partnership, which is representative of organisations with a role in promoting farm health and safety. Farming organisation leaders, Eddie Downey, IFA; John Comer, ICMSA and Kieran O’Dowd, Macra na Feirme; will chair conference sessions. At the event, Brian and Norma Rohan, organisers of the recent Embrace Farm Accident Victim Remembrance Service, will outline the impact of a farm accident tragedy. The conference is of particular relevance to farmers, contractors, advisers and anyone with an interest in farm …

The final report and recommendations of the Forestry Policy Review Group, entitled, Forests, Products and People – Ireland’s forest policy – a renewed vision, was launched in Dublin this Wednesday by Minster of State, Tom Hayes. This is of particular interest for  Clare, as there has been a big increase in forestry projects in the county in recent years. Talks, field trips and practical demonstrations are held on a regular basis by Teagasc, while farm organisations and other accredited groups are also heavily involved in promoting the business. A Forest Policy Review Group was established by the (then) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in April 2010 to review State forestry policy to take account of its critical role in relation to climate change and its importance to construction, bio-energy, bio-diversity and its potential to deliver long-term employment in other downstream industries such as eco-tourism, furniture, crafts etc. The group, which comprised of a wide range of stakeholders, met on …

A  new report on the land market shows that land prices increased in 2013 and activity levels are up 5% in the first quarter of 2014. The land report, which was compiled by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Authority, shows that prices for agricultural land up to 50 acres increased nationally in 2013. According to the report, the average national price for land up to 50 acres with entitlements and a residential holding per acre is approximately €10,722. In Dublin, it is €13,000; in Leinster, it is €11,132; in Munster, €11,378 and in Connacht/Ulster €7,375. The largest increase in land prices was seen in the Munster area, where the average selling price in 2013 increased by 14.3% for land up to 50 acres with a residential holding. In Leinster, prices increased by 13.9% and in Connacht/Ulster they increased by 2%, compared to the previous year. In contrast to the smaller land …

THE Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has joined forces with Young Social Innovators (YSI) to recognise innovative transition year students on getting the farm safety message to communities around the country. At the Annual YSI Showcase in Dublin, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla received special certificates of recognition from the authority. The award was given on the basis of how the Tulla students spoke about their projects to raise awareness of farm safety issues. Panel members from the Farm Safety Partnership organisations including: HSA, IFA, Teagasc, Farm Relief Services and the Professional Agricultural Contractors of Ireland, listened to the presentations from the students and engaged in a question and answer session with them. HSA chief executive, Martin O’Halloran said, “It’s incredible to see the passion and energy coming from the St. Joseph’s students in getting the farm safety message out there. We came here today to see young people energised about seeking to change something tragic at the heart of …

THE Health and Safety Authority, with the support of Teagasc, launched Farm Safety Fortnight this week. The campaign is taking place because of the alarming rise in farm deaths so far in 2014, with seven farm deaths occurring, compared to one for the same period of 2013. Farm deaths comprised 44% of all workplace deaths so far in 2014. Being crushed by a tractor or machine has been the main factor associated with recent farm deaths followed by animal incidents. John McNamara, Teagasc health and safety officer, has called on farmers to be particularly vigilant when working in close vicinity of tractors, farm vehicles and machines, particularly in, or around farmyards, because being struck, crushed or falling from a vehicle or machine is associated with 72% of all deaths caused by machinery. Teagasc will be holding a free practical farm event and a seminar at Kildalton College, Piltown, County Kilkenny on Friday afternoon. Demonstrations will take place involving machinery, livestock, …

A FODDER census survey has shown that farmers have enough silage and hay for a 140 day feeding period this winter. The survey of 1,240 farmers showed that there is an overall average surplus of 8% across the country. The survey was carried out in the week commencing September 1 by Teagasc and other organisations participating in the Inter Agency Fodder Committee. While overall the survey indicates that there are adequate fodder stocks in the country, it found that one in five farmers had a deficit. On the farms with a deficit, this shortage is 19% on average. The survey showed that 22% of farmers intend to sell some livestock to balance their feed budget this autumn Chairman of the inter-agency fodder committee, Dr Tom Kelly of Teagasc said that through the commercial market place, farmers are redistributing the fodder to where the livestock are, and redistributing the livestock to where the fodder is. He said that with prudent management …