News – March 2009
31st March 2009 – Donegal ICSA Concerned About TB Problem
ICSA Donegal chairman Brendan McLaughlin said that there is major concern among farmers in the county over the impact that TB is having on their business.
“We are 40 years down the road and there still seems to be no resolution to the problem of TB. Many farmers are suffering serious hardship and difficulties because of TB testing and it is costing them dearly while appearing to deliver nothing.”
“ICSA is working with the Department of Agriculture at the highest levels to address these issues and this topic was at the top of the agenda at a recent meeting with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan,” he said.
ICSA is proposing to set up a task force at national level to look at the issue of TB and what is being done in other countries to eradicate and control it.
26th March 2009 – ICSA Accepts Taoiseach’s Invitation to Return to Social Partnership Talks
ICSA president Malcolm Thompson has accepted the invitation by An Taoiseach, on behalf of ICSA, to return to Social Partnership talks. While recognising the unprecedented economic situation the nation finds itself in, Mr Thompson expressed in no uncertain terms the difficulties facing farmers and the level of cuts that they have already been forced to take as part of Budget 2009.
“We are looking forward to meaningful engagement with the Government and recognition of the fact that the farming sector has been unfairly targeted and cannot endure any further cuts.”
In his letter to An Taoiseach, Mr Thompson stressed the importance of the following issues:
- The critical significance of exports and the need to restore competitiveness especially in the light of a strong euro.
- The difficulty in bridging the deficit of €20 billion between receipts and expenditure forecast for 2009.
- The need for substantial cuts in public expenditure, especially areas of excessive waste as exemplified by FÁS and high pay levels at the upper tier of the public sector.
Mr Thompson emphasised that the export oriented farm sector has a vital role to play in national recovery, but it was currently being hampered by the drop in international product prices, the strength of the euro against sterling and the disastrous impact of government cuts on farmers. He also referred to credit difficulties faced by farmers who had been let down by the failure to pay farm waste management grants on schedule.
24th March 2009 – ICSA Frustration at EU Sheep Tagging Decision
ICSA sheep chairman Mervyn Sunderland has strongly condemned yesterday’s (Monday 23rd) decision at the March meeting of the EU Farm Council to uphold the introduction mandatory electronic sheep tagging. “This ludicrous proposal is short-sighted and will prove a devastating blow for the Irish sheep sector. This, coupled with low profit margins being achieved in recent years, will drive even more farmers out of the industry.”
“It’s another glaring example of excessive and out of touch European bureaucracy with no thought given to the implications for the industry or for farmers on the ground. In some cases the process, between the cost of tags, scanning equipment and labour, will amount to more than the value of the animal.”
“There is no direct benefit to farmers or consumers by the introduction of electronic tagging. The current system that’s in place is working well at ensuring traceability and disease control. Electronic tagging will introduce another unnecessary burden on farmers that are hard pressed to make a living as it is.”
23rd March 2009 – Shortage of Cattle as Farmers Hold for Better Prices
ICSA beef chairman Sean Scully said today that there is a shortage of supply of cattle to factories this week as farmers are unwilling to take 308c/kg (£1.10/lb) for R grade cattle. Mr Scully said “as one farmer put it to me over the weekend, it was akin to being in the middle of a liquidation sale.”
“Factories have to realise that the current prices on offer are breaking the spine of the winter finisher. All the factory agents are saying that cattle numbers are drying up fast so if farmers are in a position to hold on, they can do with a little confidence of better things to come.”
This weeks’ prices sees U grade bullocks being quoted at 314c/kg (£1.12/lb), R grades 308c/kg (£1.10/lb) and 297c/kg (£1.06/lb) for O grades. Heifers are trading at 314c/kg (£1.12/lb), cows at 269c/kg (£0.96/lb) and bulls at 314c/kg (£1.12/lb).
20th March 2009 – Rethink on EID Sheep Proposals Welcomed by ICSA
ICSA sheep chairman Mervyn Sunderland has welcomed the news that the proposed introduction of mandatory electronic sheep tagging will be discussed at the upcoming EU Farm Council meeting on Monday next. “The fact that this item is once again on the agenda after many believed it was set in stone shows how unworkable and ludicrous the proposal actually is.”
Mr Sunderland called on the Minister for Agriculture to vehemently voice Irish farmers’ opposition to the introduction of this unnecessary measure and to encourage his European colleagues to do the same.
“Under current economic circumstances it would be crazy to spend millions of euro on something that is totally unnecessary and of no benefit to farmers or consumers. Sheep farmers are already on their knees with the disastrous returns of recent years and there is simply no way that they can bear any further cost,” he said.
19th March 2009 – Beef Price Rise Expected
ICSA beef chairman Sean Scully predicts a noticeable rise in beef prices in the coming weeks as stock gets scarcer. “The supply of cattle is getting scarcer on the ground and by mid April there will be a shortage of finished cattle the likes of which hasn’t been seen before. Agents for factories are actively seeking cattle for the next two weeks and if farmers are in a position to hold cattle until then they should seriously consider this.”
The volatility of sterling against the euro is the only cloud on the horizon but Mr Scully emphasised once again that beef cattle are scarce and it would be a mistake to tie down a static base price at this stage.
19th March 2009 – Clarification Needed on REPS Payments
ICSA President, Malcolm Thompson has called on the Department of Agriculture to clarify the payments situation regarding REPS 4 payments. While it is acknowledged that payments have commenced some farmers appear to have received amounts of money which fall far short of what was anticipated.
“There may well be a very logical reason for the shortfall, but payment slips bear no explanation and farmers are totally confused. We will be in touch with the Department and try to find out exactly what is going on” said Mr Thompson.
Meanwhile on the Farm Waste Management grants, many farmers remain disappointed at the calculations of the grant as it falls short of their planner’s calculations. “I have been assured by the Department that no instructions have been issued by them to their inspectors to exercise a more severe regime regarding the remaining applications, but our feedback from farmers is very negative. The situation regarding bank borrowings remains unchanged with many banks rolling over the borrowings for a further two months at punitive bridging facility rates.”
ICSA is monitoring the situation closely and is demanding that farmers will not continue to be disadvantaged by the government’s failure to honour its commitments.
16th March 2009 – Disposal Pattern of Finished Cattle Changing – ICSA
ICSA beef chairman Sean Scully said that the disposal pattern of finished cattle is changing as farmers are continuing to resist downward pressure on beef prices. “It’s that time of year when all involved in the beef industry have an anxious few weeks. There is a worrying factor creeping into the disposal pattern of finished cattle.”
“There are certain signs at the farm gate that things are going to change radically in beef production in the coming year. One of the main ones being that nearly all bull weanlings are being dressed in the last month or so. This would indicate that farmers are not intending to have an intensive beef finishing system in place for next winter.”
“People involved in the industry at all levels must address these problems within the next couple of weeks and if the retail sector wants a continuous supply of beef products they must be prepared to reward the producers. As is evident from our study of a boned out heifer in recent weeks, there is a profit to be made in the sector. A more equal distribution of the profits will help keep the beef producer in business.” he said.
This week sees no change in prices with U grade bullocks being quoted at 314c/kg (£1.12/lb), R grades 308c/kg (£1.10/lb) and 297c/kg (£1.06/lb) for O grades. Heifers are trading at 314c/kg (£1.12/lb), cows at 274c/kg (£0.98/lb) and bulls at 314c/kg (£1.12/lb).
6th March 2009 – Anger Expressed at Farm Waste Management Arrangement at ICSA Open Meeting
An open meeting of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) on the implications of the new arrangements for payment under the farm waste management scheme (FWMS) was held in Raphoe on Thursday 5th March. A large crowd of over 300 attended and there was serious unease and anger expressed at the proposed plan for payment under the scheme.
Farmer after farmer outlined at the meeting how they were already facing difficulties in negotiating competitive interest rates with their banks and many are finding themselves in an untenable financial position. There was a lot of disquiet at the fact that ICSA was the only farm organisation that had challenged the Minister’s ruling and many farmers were feeling very let down. ICSA president Malcolm Thompson said “Minister Smith is expecting farmers to succeed where he failed in negotiating a decent rate with the banks. Many farmers who are unable to negotiate finance could face bankruptcy.”
ICSA will make the views expressed at the meeting known to the Minister for Agriculture.
6th March 2009 – Coughlan Elected ICSA Waterford Chairman
Carrick-On-Suir farmer Martin Coughlan has been elected as Waterford chairman of ICSA. Mr. Coughlan replaces Edmund Phelan who held the position for the past four years.
The election of the Waterford chairman and members of the National Executive took place on Wednesday 4th March at the ICSA Waterford AGM meeting in Dungarvan. Edmond Cheasty, Knockaderry, Kilmeaden; Seamus Kirwan, Rathgormack, Carrick-On-Suir; and Mary Dee, Toor Grange, Via Youghal, were all elected as the Waterford representatives on the ICSA National Executive
A well known local beef farmer, Martin has made many successful representations on behalf of Waterford ICSA members. Among them was a campaign to have the Waterford county plan amended, so that young farmers had an automatic right to build on their land.
On being elected Mr Coughlan said, “My first action as chairman of Waterford ICSA is to send a very clear message to all parties contesting the local elections in June. The price of the farming vote in Waterford is the defence of farmers’ interests, not the party line or soft talk.”
2nd March 2009 – Rise in Beef Prices Expected as Stock gets Scarcer
ICSA beef chairman Sean Scully expects to see a rise in beef prices in the coming weeks as stock gets scarcer. “Prices are holding at last week’s levels and we have seen agents for various factories buying forward stores in the mart for feed lots in the factories. This gives the message to farmers that over the next few weeks we will see a price rise as well as a scarcity off good stock.”
Bullocks are making 319c/kg (£1.14/lb), 314c/kg (£1.12/lb) and 302c/kg (£1.08/lb) respectively for U, R and O grades. Bulls are holding at 319c/kg (£1.14/lb). Heifers are trading at 319c/kg (£1.14/lb) and cows are making anything from 269c/kg (£0.96/lb) to 280c/kg.
Mr. Scully has advised farmers if at all possible to weigh live their cattle before slaughter to ensure that they are satisfied with the kill out weight.
ICSA will hold a regional beef meeting to discuss the future of beef farming in Grant’s Hotel Roscrea this evening, Monday 2nd March at 8pm. Speakers will include Dr. Pierce Kelly, Teagasc Beef Specialist, Joe Burke, Bord Bia and Sean Farrell, ACC Bank. All are welcome to attend.
