Tag Archives: cattle

MART managers in Clare are hoping national Covid-19 guidelines will be eased to to give farmers the opportunity of buying and selling cattle in an open market. It is understood that a decision may be taken later this week to ease restrictions on marts next week while still applying strict DOA and HSE Covid-19 guidelines. Sixmilebridge Mart manager, Sean Ryan confirmed the mart was matching farmers who were selling and producers who wanted to buy cattle but acknowledged it was very hard work and very hard to manage. Mr Ryan said marts were willing to work with the Department of Agriculture to facilitate a return to live auctions under strict HSE guidelines. On March 25, about 350 cattle were sold in Sixmilebridge Mart under strict guidelines in the last sale before the national lockdown. The mart has spent almost €2,000 on the provision of hand sanitisers and infection control. “Farmers want to sell and buy cattle and the most appropriate …

THERE were dramatic scenes at the Kepak plant in Drumquin this evening, as farmers from the Beef Plan movement in Clare delayed trucks from entering and leaving. Gardai were summoned to the site as emotions ran very high at certain times. When the Clare Champion arrived this afternoon a group of about 20 farmers were walking in circular formation at the front gate to the plant, preventing two trucks from leaving, while another truck was waiting to enter, just up the road. While the truck driver attempted to inch forward whenever gaps in the circle of protestors emerged, there was no way he could get out, until the farmers finally opted to relent and allow him to leave. However at this point there was an attempt to get the second truck past the protestors, something that inflamed the crowd, and they succeeded in stopping that truck from exiting. Shortly afterwards Gardai arrived on the scene, and they sought to speak …

ENTRIES in various categories for the 29th annual South-East Clare Show jumped by an impressive 50% in some cases, according to the organisers. Thousands of patrons flocked to the South-East Clare venue for what proved to be in the words of secretary, Yvonne McNamara a great value for money day out for all the family. While the weather conditions weren’t as good as last year, Yvonne estimates gate receipts were similar to last year as about 4,500 came through the turnstiles to enjoy a wide variety of competitions and side attractions. Disneyland characters, Mickey, Minnie and Winnie the Pooh added great colour and excitement to the proceedings as loads of people took a break to enjoy photographs with their children. Ms McNamara believes the Disneyland theme and competition, which was provided for a second successive year, helped attract another large attendance. The Disneyland competition was won by Eibhlin Cronin, Formoyle, Broadford, who is originally from Limerick and has a 10-month …

ENNIS is set for a financial boost, with the arrival of a major livestock event to the Clare Co-operative Marts later this year, The Clare Champion can confirm. The Commercial Cattle Exhibitors Society’s winter fair will be held in the county capital in October, the first time the event has been held in the West of Ireland. Organisers estimate that Ennis’ hosting of the winter fair on October 22 and 23 will bring in around €250,000 to the local economy. Around 1,000 people are expected to attend, with 200 exhibitors also taking part in the event, which will see farmers gaining access to a marketplace where some weanlings are likely to sell for in excess of €5,000. This year will mark the 21st annual showcase, which regularly attracts both Irish beef producers and overseas visitors. Muireann Hannon, PRO for the Commercial Cattle Exhibitors Society, explained why Ennis was picked as the host venue for 2017. “The society has chosen Clare, …

A Ballynacally farmer has expressed his frustration at the lack of progress in repairing the Shannon Estuary banks along 30 acres of his land in Lisheen. Vincent O’Shea, who farms up to 120 acres, has been unable to cut silage on the affected land and has had to sell 30 cows. The land was badly flooded more than 12 months ago and he says that no progress has been made in the interim with regard to alleviating the problem. Two neighbouring farmers, John Slattery and Seán Carrig, are similarly affected. “The two sluices went in January of 2014. There is no one coming near us. They are saying they are doing this and doing that. Pat Breen (TD) reckons the council have the money but you ring the council and they say they have no more there for this. They have money for the tourists going to Lahinch and Kilkee but that’s no good to me. I can’t do any …

SUCH is the difficulty in accessing the location where 17 horses, cattle and calves were found dumped at Baltard Cliffs in Doonbeg last week, the animals may have to be burned. Kilrush Gardai are still investigating the discovery of the dead animals, news of which was broken in last week’s Clare Champion. “Enquiries are ongoing in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Clare County Council, The Irish Horse Welfare Trust and the ISPCA. Door to door enquiries have also been carried out,” Kilrush Gardai said on Wednesday, adding that they would welcome any further information from members of the public. Meanwhile, Clare ISPCA Officer Frankie Coote described the location of the dead animals as “perilous” adding that it may prove impossible to remove them. He did not discount suggestions that they may have to be burned where they lie. “It would be one of the options open to them I’d say. I personally feel that you couldn’t get a digger, …

“TO bee or not to bee,” was the question posed by Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins following claims that a proposed Burren apiary would cause stampedes, resulting in serious injuries to local farm animals. A proposal to help NUI Galway and the Native Irish Honey Bee Society create an apiary in the Burren prompted a stinging rebuke from some North Clare councillors at a meeting on Monday. Councillor Johnny Flynn expressed disappointment if Clare County Council wasn’t in a position to provide between €1,500 and €2,000 over a five-year period to provide an apiary in the Burren out of its overall annual budget of about €110 million. The Fine Gael councillor pointed out the apiary would play an important role in the conservation, protection and development of a nucleus of native Irish bees in a protected landscape in Clare, such as the Burren. The honey bee is a very important pollinator of crops, with its pollinators value in Ireland reported …