7 events over 7 days in aid of Pieta House North West and Jigsaw Donegal.

Thomas Given and Joe Coyle are doing seven events over 7 days in aid of the above charities from the 11^th to the 17^th of June. these events include the following.

The Department Agriculture, Food and the Marine has advised farmers to check their applications for Basic Payment and ensure that they have not included any ineligible land. Examples of ineligible features include buildings, roads, yards, scrub, rock and land burnt since 1^st March. Farmers should also check that all parcel boundaries are aligned with the physical parcel boundary

North West Women in Farming event will be held in CoLab, LYIT  Letterkenny on Thursday the 24^th May 2018 at 7.30pm.

Environment & Rural Affairs

Teagasc’s David Wall offers some Smart Farming advice on building soil fertility.

After a highly stressful and long winter, farmers are planning for the year’s grazing season and winter ahead. The question many are asking right now is, how can I maximise grass growth while increasing fodder reserves for the future?

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D., today issued an urgent reminder to farmers to submit their online applications for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) as soon as possible. 

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. today announced that he has introduced new legislation to regulate livestock marts, updating legislation that has been in place for many years.

Under the terms of the GLAS scheme, all farmers in the scheme must attend a GLAS Training Course carried out by an GLAS approved trainer in order to comply with the scheme .

SMART FARMING ARTICLE BY THE IFA

Smart Farming starts its 2018 work this month, identifying ways to improve farm returns and enhance the rural environment.

This year more than 1,200 farmers across 50 discussion groups, IFA branches and purchasing groups will get involved in Smart Farming.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., today gave an update in relation to online applications for the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

A truly inspirational and motivational event is due to take place on

Saturday April 14^th in Solis Lough Eske Castle from 9.00 until 3.00 or 4.00 depending on the final line up of speakers.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are reminding farmers that 2018 Nitrates Derogation applications can now be submitted on line. The closing date for applications is 20 April 2018.

1. SOIL TESTING  

Provides you with vital information about your soils

• • A foundation for your fertilizer plan

• • A small farm expense costing in the region of €1.25/ha/yr and is valid for 5 years

•  • A standard soil test will give the soils fertility status as follows; pH, lime requirement, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, has issued a strong warning to farmers and their advisors, of the following in relation to agricultural and eligible forestry land which is burnt illegally during the closed season – i.e. 1st March to 31st August:

The Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) has been introduced to Ireland within the past year. This directive will affect all users of Pesticides (Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides etc.). One of SUD’s main aims is to reduce the risk or danger of pesticide use on the environment and consequently on human health. SUD is strongly encouraging the use of Integrated pest management (IPM). SUD will only affect professional users or distributors of pesticides. The four main areas the SUD was categorised is as follows:

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today participated in a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, convened by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the lead Government Department on Severe Weather Incidents.