Tillage Farming in Wicklow

Posted on: 23/08/2012

Todays Irish Times takes an insightful look at Tillage farming in Co Wicklow from the perspective of Tom Short. You get an opportunity to understand that despite the best plans and decisions, mother nature can make this a challenging business.

Extract.....

THE IFA MAN notes that Ireland achieved the highest yield in the world on the winter-wheat crop last year, and not for the first time. �We�re not expecting anything like that this year,� he says, with considerable understatement. He estimates that both the winter barley and oilseed rape crops are 95 per cent complete, but it�s a different story when it comes to spring barley. �This time last year it was about 75 per cent complete. Now it�s not even 5 per cent.�

And it�s a worse story for winter wheat, which is the most valuable crop.

�We�re lucky if there�s less than 1 per cent cut. This time last year, it was well on.�

He says a fortnight or three weeks of �excellent weather� is needed if the harvest is to be saved. �There may be fields that will not be cut at all this year because farmers won�t have the chance to do it. The crop will just rot back into the ground. That would be very, very unusual.�

Read the full Irish Times Article here http://bit.ly/SpR17u

OTHER FARMING NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF 08/2012

25/08/2012 - Milk Prices turn sour in N. Ireland
In Northern Ireland, 1,500 dairy farmers were receiving less than 21p per litre last month, but face an average cost of production of around 25p.

25/08/2012 - Diary forecast to decline
Livestock margins increase, cereal farms depend on harvest, dairy margins to decline... are all part of the Teagasc August Advisory Newsletter.

25/08/2012 - Farmer facing eviction hopeful of settlement
A Limerick farmer who has blockaded the entrance to his home with tonnes of baled silage has said there are fresh hopes a settlement can be secured with Bank of Scotland, which got a court eviction order against him over an unpaid debt.

23/08/2012 - Tillage Farming in Wicklow
Todays Irish Times takes an insightful look at Tillage farming in Co Wicklow from the perspective of Tom Short. You get an opportunity to understand that despite the best plans and decisions, mother nature can make this a challenging business.

23/08/2012 - Swift Action call by Deputy OCuiv
"Minister remains idle even after poor summer for Farmers"

23/08/2012 - Weighing cattle is a new rural growth industry.
According to the Irish Examiner - Weighing cattle is a new rural growth Industry - read on....

23/08/2012 - Anger over Cattle Prices
IFA President John Bryan has warned factories bosses of mounting farmer anger at the savage cuts in cattle prices quotes, at a time when supplies are low and prices are much stronger on all our main markets in Northern Ireland, Britain and Europe.

23/08/2012 - National "Spud" day

23/08/2012 - Glanbia Farmers Final Decision soon
GLANBIA'S farmer shareholders have yet to agree on whether to take on their milk processing business with only a week to go until the company's deadline for a final decision.

22/08/2012 - Growers face financial losses
IFA National Grain Committee Chairman Noel Delany said that many growers are facing significant financial losses as the incessant wet weather continues to take its toll on crop yields despite rising prices. In excess of 500,000t in potential grain production has been lost at this stage.