Forum to tackle key farming issues

THREE key issues facing dairy farmers — winter feeding, milk quotas and compliance with the nitrates directive — will be discussed at a farming forum organised by the Irish Examiner during the National Dairy Show at Green Glens in Millstreet tomorrow.

Joe Burke and Paul Kennedy, from Richard Keenan and Company, will speak about winter feeding issues, while the milk quotas outlook will be addressed by Phil Carroll, Milk Policy Division, Department of Agriculture and Food, and ICMSA senior policy executive John Enright.

Preparing farms for nitrate compliance will be the theme for two other speakers, Tom Ryan, a Teagasc farm buildings specialist based at Kildalton College, and IFA Environment Committee chairman Tom Dunne.

Tim O’Leary will preside at the forum, which will start in The Coachroom at 1.30pm and continue until 3.50pm.

Show PRO Thomas Walsh said the Irish Examiner Farming Forum, a new addition to the event, will hopefully bring a useful dimension for the many farmers and visitors.

He said Teagasc measurements at Moorepark showed that summer grass growth was the lowest in over 30 years.

But there is no reason milk producers cannot recoup some of their falling dairy margin by enhancing the performance of their beef stock, according to Joe Burke.

Milk quotas have become a hot topic since Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan recently published details of the quota exchange which is replacing the restructuring scheme.

A strong response is expected from the floor.

Forum speakers on the nitrates directive will update farmers who are still trying to come to grips with the requirements of an action programme document of nearly 14,000 words.

The 24th national dairy show, organised by the Cork Holstein Friesian Club, has attracted some 150 entries in 17 Holstein Friesian classes and up to 30 entries in four Jersey classes, all chasing the Irish Examiner Farming supreme championship.

Hank Van Exel of Lodi, California, who manages 1,500 milking Holstein Friesians and 250 milking Jerseys, will be the judge. Mr Van Exel has officiated at dairy shows all over the world.