LEADERS in the farming, industry and health sectors all plan to host safety awareness events in a bid to curb soaring on-farm accident mortality figures.

THE retention of both the 100% stock relief for trained farmers aged under 35 and capital allowances for farm buildings in yesterday’s budget is great news for your farmers, according to Macra na Feirme.

FARM groups welcomed the progress unveiled yesterday by the Government in its nitrates negotiations with the EU Commission.

YOUNG farmers have a vital role to play in the current national and EU level debates which will effectively dictate how their futures pan out in the industry, according to Macra na Feirme national president Michael Gowing.

THE EU is considering special loan packages to encourage young people to stay in farming, according to a leaked document obtained by Macra na Feirme.

IT is time to tie the knot if you’re in your late 20s or early 30s, according to 80% of young farmers surveyed recently by Macra na Feirme.

MACRA na Feirme president Michael Gowing has accused the Government of including young farmers in the scrappage deal.

LOOKING for a talented farmer with a bright future? Take your pick.

MACRA NA FEIRME has announced that chef and television personality, Darina Allen, will chair the final adjudication panel at the Young Farmer of the Year Awards in Waterford on Tuesday.

FARMERS should be allowed select their own closed period of eight to 11 weeks, within the existing 13 to 16 week frameworks, depending on which of three geographical zones they farm in, according to Macra’s submission on the nitrates review.

FARMERS have been urged to take extra care with machinery and other activities as they enter a traditional busy period.

A DECISION by Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith to allocate a quarter of the 1% increase in the national milk quota to new entrants to dairying has been welcomed by Macra na Feirme and criticised by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association.

THE 2020 Strategy Committee for agri-food, forestry and fisheries is drawn from senior experts and participants in all aspects of the sector.

TWO of the winners of this year’s Macra na Feirme National Leadership Awards are from Co Cork, with the third recipient coming from Roscommon.

TIPPERARY hurling manager Liam Sheedy will address Macra na Feirme members on the theme of leadership in Dublin next Tuesday night.

THE clocks were turned back yesterday, but the thoughts of Macra na Feirme members attending their annual national rally in Bantry were focused on looking ahead.

AGRICULTURE is the key to economic recovery, the annual Macra na Feirme rally was told at its opening in Bantry, Co Cork, last night.

VISITORS to the National Dairy Show can get up to date with efforts by the food industry and farmers to tackle the ever-present threat of animal diseases.

PENSION awareness remains low in Ireland especially among farmers, Macra na Feirme has disclosed.

MACRA na Feirme has called on government departments to stop hiding behind European Union directives and extend the spreading dates for slurry and farmyard manure.

OVER €1 million in limited additional funding is being provided for the Early Retirement Scheme in farming.

MACRA na Feirme has insisted that the proposed new agri-environment scheme must accommodate new entrants to farming.

A 26-YEAR-OLD dairy and beef farmer from Ardmore, Co Waterford, has been named the 2009 FBD Young Farmer of the Year.

YOUNG trained farmers can inspire others to innovate, adopt best farming practices, compete effectively in a global market and meet the ever changing demands of today’s society.

ROWING back on the European Union quota increases under the Common Agricultural Policy health check is not a solution to improving milk prices, as presented by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, it was claimed yesterday.

A RISING interest in agricultural science was reflected in the Leaving Certificate examination results released yesterday.

MACRA na Feirme has called on the Government to take advantage of the entrepreneurial spirit of trained young farmers rather than strangling them with cuts and pushing them out of business.

THE proposed dismantling of Bord Bia – the Irish Food Board – was described yesterday as inexplicable and counter-productive.

THE €9 million saved in animal disease control costs “should be invested in young farmers’ installation aid”.

MACRA na Feirme has rejected a claim that the installation aid scheme for young farmers does not provide good value for money.

MACRA na Feirme, which is co-ordinating the annual Know Your Neighbour weekend on July 11 and 12, has urged everybody to become involved.

MACRA na Feirme yesterday questioned the relevance of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) to represent dairy farmers of the future.

A TOTAL of 200,000 litres of milk quota will be allocated to new entrants to dairying under a new scheme announced yesterday by Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith.

THE value of having good neighbours in challenging times was underlined by President Mary McAleese as she launched a “get to know your neighbour” weekend.

THE setting up of a new financial institution to provide credit lines was sought by Macra na Feirme president Michael Gowing in his inaugural address at the weekend.

MACRA na Feirme’s strength is its members, according to its newly elected president, Michael Gowing, a 30-year-old dairy and beef farmer from Portlaoise.

THE three candidates for the presidency of Macra na Feirme set out their stalls at the first of a series of countrywide hustings in Carlow last night.

THE race is on to find the successor to Catherine Buckley as national president of Macra na Feirme.

MACRA na Feirme’s new national chairman is Michael Gowing from Portlaoise, Co Laois.

THE three winners of the 2007 Bank of Ireland Business Banking-Macra na Feirme national leadership awards are from South Tipperary, Meath and Wicklow.