The Farming Week: New Suckler Scheme, Fertiliser Database, and the Dating Dilemma for Farmers
August 4, 2023 – 10:11 am
Stella Meehan and Aisling O’Brien
Welcome to The Farming Week, where we bring you the most significant stories in Irish agriculture. In this edition, we will cover Minister’s announcement of a new €50/calf scheme for suckler farmers, the approval of a €308 million Irish afforestation scheme by the Commission, the need for changes in the fertiliser database, extensions for ACRES scorecards and shallow cultivation, and the controversial statement by Katch CEO regarding farmers’ dating preferences.
Let’s start with the announcement made by the Minister for Agriculture, which has brought hope to many suckler farmers across the country. The Minister has unveiled a new scheme that will provide a payment of €50 per calf to support the sector. This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by suckler farmers and ensure the sustainability of the industry. The scheme has been welcomed by farming organizations and is expected to provide much-needed financial relief to farmers who have been struggling in recent years.
In other news, the European Commission has given the green light to a €308 million afforestation scheme proposed by the Irish government. This ambitious program aims to increase forest cover and combat climate change. The scheme includes incentives for landowners to plant trees, as well as measures to protect existing forests. This approval is a significant step towards achieving Ireland’s climate targets and demonstrates the country’s commitment to sustainable land use.
However, not all is well in the agricultural sector. The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has raised concerns about the current state of the fertiliser database. According to the IFA, the database needs to be updated and improved to ensure it is “fit for purpose.” They argue that accurate and up-to-date information is crucial for farmers to make informed decisions about fertiliser use. The IFA is calling on the government to invest in the necessary upgrades to enhance the functionality and reliability of the database.
Moving on to regulatory matters, there have been extensions granted for ACRES scorecards and shallow cultivation. The Department of Agriculture has announced that the deadline for submitting ACRES scorecards has been extended to September 30th. This extension will allow farmers more time to complete the necessary paperwork and comply with the requirements. Additionally, the deadline for shallow cultivation has been pushed back to October 15th, giving farmers some flexibility in their land management practices.
Lastly, we come to the controversial statement made by Katch CEO, a dating app that caters specifically to farmers. The CEO suggested that farmers should only date other farmers, sparking a debate among the agricultural community. While some argue that shared values and understanding of the farming lifestyle can strengthen relationships, others believe that love knows no boundaries and that farmers should be open to dating people from diverse backgrounds. This statement has ignited discussions about the challenges and benefits of dating within the farming community.
That concludes this week’s edition of The Farming Week. Remember to rate, review, and follow our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts from. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest news and developments in Irish agriculture.
