Midland Farmer - September 2023

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10 MIDLAND FARMER September 2023 Martin Contracts Rathskeagh, Ballymore, Co Westmeath 087 675 8908 martincontracts@gmail.com Farm & Industrial Buildings - Mobile Welding All types of steel supplied - Welded & Erected Ballinalack, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath T: 086 803 4395 • E: finnan.john@live.com ‘Farmers cannot continue to sustain this level of cuts’ Minister accused of ‘sitting idly by while sheep sector is collapsing’ Meat factories and the government have been heavily criticised by the national sheep chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) for the “lack of meaningful support” for the sheep sector. Kevin Comiskey said that an estimated €10.5 million have been wiped off sheep farmers’ incomes in 2023 to date, when compared to the price differential from last year. The crisis in the sheep sector is “deepening” as prices continue to lag behind last year’s levels, with farmers in a critical loss-making situation, according to the IFA national sheep chair. Accusing Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue and the government of “sitting idly by while the sector is collapsing”, he said: “Factories and the government are acutely aware of the loss-making situation sheep farmers are in but refuse to support them.” Minister McConalogue has “failed” to take action on the situation of Irish sheep farmers which, Comiskey said can be only addressed with immediate direct supports. “The minister must come forward and provide farmers with a €30/ewe payment by building on the supports of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) of just €12/ewe,” he said. The IFA national sheep chair urged the minister to indicate what actions he is going to undertake to resolve the “challenging situation” on sheep farms as a matter of urgency. SHEEP SECTOR Input costs on sheep farms have increased by over 40%, according to Comiskey, which is “effectively eroding all margins in an extremely low-income sector”. “Teagasc figures showed income levels on sheep farms dropped by over 80% last year to just €7/ewe which included the [previous Sheep Welfare Scheme] SWS payment.” “Farmers cannot continue to sustain this level of cuts, and confidence in the sector is extremely low and farmers are exiting the sector due to the lack of support displayed to farmers,” he said. Speaking about the impact of New Zealand (NZ) and Australian sheepmeat imports to the UK on Irish sheep prices earlier this week, Comiskey said Irish farmers “can’t compete” with such low prices. Stating that NZ lamb is coming in at €3.95/kg, and Australian lamb is coming in at €2.89/kg, the IFA national sheep chair said: “That’s supplying the UK market, and the UK lamb is making its way to the European market and distorting the market and putting it under pressure.” “You can’t compete, our biggest market is between the UK and France, and when NZ and Australia are putting in lamb at those prices, we can’t compete at over €6.00/kg.” A new engineering company All work considered Chris 085 823 9365 Mark 083 377 4811 W: sparkplantagri.com E: SparkPlantAgri@outlook.com Vet Farm Supplies Mary Street, Mullingar 044 - 9340364 Reimac Agri Contractors Services Provided Mowing | Baling Bale Haulage Wrapping | Stacking Cattle Haulage Dung | Slurry Hedgecutting | Spraying Fertiliser | Topping etc Ardnacraney, Athlone Call 086 887 7109 086 825 5233 Animal Feeds & Health Products Fertilisers - Feeders - Fencing Dosing Hardware - Piping Agricultural Workwear & Waterproof Clothing 044 966 4291 - 087 069 6321
September 2023 MIDLAND FARMER 11 SKIN IN THE GAME ,aseh i ,alldune ean Thehennd i vk 4uualdp 0oe vstelle uagild oa-e yrilt a clyalldmsrffessurl oihemtnahic ah ualle aigal fllefti yrsiess -en toe last BC deansk John an dihael Jr CocMelloe s.be t Ciaran srennan ayrt toe sefnet t toein srffessp toe urtrne u toe fg.ad ah toe nle u bafbend ah oihemtnahic i toe srstaiayilitd issrek PHOTOS: YVONNE COLE DUPUIS J&M&Son Exports Ltd began operations from their yard in Ballyfore in 1982 and continue to expand their exports business. The animal collection enterprise was formed by John Costelloe along with his father and has established itself as a mainstay in the midlands' agricultural scene. The company primarily trades animal hides which are exported globally. It also collects fallen animals for disposal and provides their service to local farmers and the County Council. It’s a significant operation which is managed collectively by John Costelloe along with his sons Michael Junior and Eamonn. Best wishes to John Costelloe and Family Beechfield Products Transport Ltd Animal Collection Service “We’re an international business,” Michael Jr told Midland Farmer. “We sell hides to Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, The Far East, Italy.” Larger hides that are exported are generally used for upholstery while smaller hides are mainly used in the production of footwear. John and his father, Michael Senior, started the business together almost four decades ago with John taking over proceedings a number of years ago. Mick senior sadly passed away in 2017 but the firm’s legacy has been in safe hands for a long time. • Continued on page 12 Best wishes to John Costelloe & Family A Midlands based company with over 40 years in business -- covering all of Ireland and UK with a 24-hour service to all customers. John Costelloe, JJ Costelloe, Conor Costelloe and Michael Costelloe Best wishes to John Costelloe and Family E.K. TYRES • Licensed Haulage • Casualty Animal Collection • Fast Efficient Service (0505) 21991 Beech Walk Roscrea Co. Tipperary 1850 272 634 info@ogradycranehire.ie Tullamore, Co. Offaly Car Tyres • 3D Wheel Alignment • 24 Hr Call Out 4x4 Tyres • Van Tyres • Mobile unit E: ek-tyres@hotmail.com T: 046 973 1328 W: www.ektyres.ie Killane, Edenderry, Co. Offaly
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Midland Farmer - September 2023

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