Midland Farmer - September 2023

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6 MIDLAND FARMER September 2023 Farmers can register interest for SFI Farmers can now start registering their interest for the Sustainable Farming incentive (SFI). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will accept applications for the scheme from Monday, September 18. Pre-registration will ensure farmers are supported to have all necessary information in place so they are ready for when the department starts to accept applications, Defra said. There are 23 actions on offer under the new 2023 scheme, including on soil health, moorland, hedgerows, integrated pest management, farmland wildlife, buffer strips and low input grassland. Secretary of State for Food and Farming Thérèse Coffey said: “The Sustainable Farming Incentive is important for sustainability – for production and profitability.” “With opening up the options, from mid September for everyone, there is likely to be an opportunity for every eligible farmer to join SFI.” Defra said payments under SFI 2023 will be paid quarterly to support farmers’ cashflow and activities required in the scheme. Farmers are encouraged to pre-register for the scheme and have all necessary information in place, including online maps and land use / cover details, before applications start being accepted. COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP The application window for 2024 Countryside Stewardship (CS) Mid Tier agreements has been extended until Friday, September 15. Defra said farmers are able to be in SFI and Countryside Stewardship at the same time as long as the actions are compatible and they are not being paid for the same action twice. Genomics will ‘revolutionise’ performance in sheep sector The science of genomics is set to revolutionise the pace at which genetic improvement can be secured within the sheep sector. This was the key take-home message delivered by Signet Breeding geneticist, Sam Boon, during his presentation to the recent EasyCare sheep open evening, hosted by Co. Antrim flock owner Campbell Tweed, According to Boon, 2023 marks 50 years of the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) Signet programme in the UK, a period of time that has seen a revolution in the science associated with the performance recording of sheep. “The good news is that the rate of genetic gain within the sheep sector is now increasing at an exponential rate. And this is tremendous news for commercial flock owners,” he explained. “It is now possible to breed for so many traits that are performance recorded. “These include ewe longevity and the ability of a ewe to rear her lambs. Lamb growth rates remain a critically important trait to assess within all sheep enterprises.” SHEEP RECORDING Boon went on to point out that the numbers of sheep being recorded does matter. The larger the population of sheep under assessment, the faster rate of genetic gain that can be achieved. “Where sheep are concerned, the generational interval is quite small. Hence the potential to drive genetic progress that much faster,” he commented. In the case of Campbell Tweed’s Ballycoose flock, 4,000 lambs are recorded courtesy of the Signet programme on an annual basis. Campbell also utilises the recording facilities available through Sheep Ireland. PARASITE RESISTANCE Specifically, where parasite resistance to wormers within sheep flocks is concerned, Boon stressed the important role that genetic evaluations can play into the future. But is the challenge one that centres solely on genetic resistance or should flock owners be breeding for flock resilience, where these matters are concerned? Research has identified genetic differences between sheep in the strength of their acquired resistance to internal worm parasites. If these differences can be identified by measurements in sheep, this trait can be incorporated into genetic evaluations and improved through selective breeding. But selection for resistance alone comes at a cost, which can result in a reduction in overall performance. In the opinion of Sam Boon, flock owners should select for resistance in conjunction with other performance traits, such as growth rate, carcase quality and maternal ability. CARBON FOOTPRINT According to the Signet breeding specialist, ongoing genetic assessment will also allow farmers to identify sheep with a low carbon footprint. July of this year saw the sheep sector in England awarded £2.9 million by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) in order to specifically identify animals with a Chatting at the EasyCare open evening (l-r): Richard Gorey and his daughter Amy, from Bennettsbridge in Co. Kilkenny with Mark Cloney, from Enniscorthy low carbon footprint. This work will constitute a three-year initiative. The project has been titled ‘Breed for CH4nge’. It will measure methane emissions from a total of 13,500 sheep in 45 flocks, collect the necessary data and build and develop the tools required to genetically reduce methane emissions and improve the efficiency of the national flock. The initiative will eventually demonstrate the impact of low-carbon sheep on whole farm carbon footprints. Signet is one of a number of organisations delivering scientific expertise to the project. “AHDB is delighted to share news of our involvement in ‘Breed for CH4nge’, an industry collaboration that will help to breed sheep with a naturally low carbon footprint,” Boon continued. “There are a number of exciting elements to the project that align closely to AHDB’s research interests, and the genetic services delivered by Signet.” “The project will enhance our knowledge of genomics, breeding for parasite resistance and CT scanning, whilst assessing the benefits of using Portable Accumulation Chambers to predict methane emissions in grazing sheep.” THE BALLYCOOSE FLOCK Ballycoose farm is home to 3,000 Easy- A group of EasyCare ewes Care ewes. The entire operation is managed by three full-time staff. This, in itself, is a very powerful illustration of what ‘EasyCare’ sheep management is all about. Campbell took the decision of going down the self-shedding route after the wool price crash of 1999. His initial investment centred on the acquisition of Wiltshire Horn rams, which he purchased in Northern Ireland. Up to that point, the Ballycoose flock comprised a mix of Newton Stewart Blackface and Colbred ewes. Within a relatively short period of years, he fully committed to the Easy- Care breed, the first of which he imported from Iolo Owen in Wales. The EasyCare is a composite breed of sheep comprising mostly Welsh Mountain and Wiltshire Horn bloodlines. It was developed almost 60 years ago with breed members specifically selected for their wool-shedding and polled traits. 10 years prior to his switch to self-shedding sheep, Campbell had committed to complete animal recording within the flock. “There is no splitting of the flock into groups. Each lamb is tagged at birth and, thereafter, electronically recorded on a regular basis throughout the period of its stay on the farm,” he explained. “From a breeding point of view, we cull on a consistent basis. “Obviously, we will assist any ewe that has a problem lambing. However, that female and her lambs will not be retained for further breeding purposes. Nor will we sell these animals on to other breeders; they are all sent for slaughter at the appropriate time. “We take a similar approach, where lameness is concerned. Obviously, any animal can succumb to a problem of this kind. However, if the issue arises again, after the initial treatment, it will not be retained for breeding.” EASYCARE SHEEP Campbell believes that EasyCare sheep have a key role to play on sheep farms of all types. “They are particularly suited to flock owners who work from 9:00a.m to 5:00p.m between Monday and Friday. To a large extent, the sheep can manage themselves,” Tweed said. Campbell is currently selling both breeding EasyCare ewes and lambs to flock owners throughout Ireland and the UK. “We are offering fully recorded stock that can add significantly to any sheep enterprise. Demand for EasyCare bloodlines is on the up and this trend shows no sign of diminishing,” he said. He is quick to confirm that the selfshedding ability of the breed is a big selling point. “Back when Blackface sheep were our main focus, we would have sold up to 7t of wool on an annual basis,” Campbell further explained. “Last year that figure dropped to around 600kg.” On the back of the commitment to comprehensive sheep recording, demand for Ballycoose bloodlines is increasing on an international basis. In 2020 EasyCare rams were selected by Shrewsbury based Farmgene Ltd. from the Ballycoose flock. Progeny from this selection were sold very successfully in two sales in New Zealand earlier this year.
September 2023 MIDLAND FARMER 7 CSO: Less people working in agri, forestry and fishing sectors The number of people working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector fell by 6,600 people over the 12 months to quarter two 2023, new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show. Although the latest Labour Force Survey released on Thursday, August 24 by the CSO shows a jump of 88,400 in the overall number of people in work in the year to quarter two, the sector which recorded the largest drop of people in employment was agriculture, forestry and fishing. In contrast the sectors which saw the biggest jump in employment was public administration and defence. According to the CSO the number of people with a job in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector fell by 6.3% in the year to quarter two bringing total employment in the sector down to an estimated 99,200 from 105,800 a year earlier. According to the latest Labour Force Survey the total number of people with a job rose to 2,629,300 in quarter two of this year – up from 2,554,600 a year earlier. The increase in the number of people in work was made up of an additional 25,900 males and a further 62,500 females in employment. The employment rate was lowest among those aged 15-19 years (28.4%) and highest among those aged 35-44 years (85.6%). Meanwhile the rate of youth employment, for those aged 15-24, stood at 48.0% and was slightly higher for females (48.6%) than for males (47.5%). According to the CSO the number of employees increased by 94,100 (4.3%) in the year to quarter two this year to 2,286,200, while the Chart showing the comparison of employment in Q2 2022 and Q2 2023 number of self-employed decreased by 5,500 (1.6%) to 335,400. The latest statistics also highlight that employment increased throughout the country – based on Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) – with the mid-east region recording the largest increase in people in employment. The CSO also examined absences from work and hours worked in its latest report. The latest figures show there was a reduction in the number of hours worked per week in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in quarter two 2023 compared to the same period a year earlier. In quarter two this year the total number of hours per week worked by people with a job in the sector dropped back to 4.5 million from 4.8 million a year earlier and 5 million in the same period in 2021. The latest CSO figures also suggest there has been an increase in the rate of absences from work in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in quarter two 2023. C. Coyne & Sons Ltd. Agricultural Services Mullingar Equine Vets Ltd. CROP PROTECTION SPECIALISTS Suppliers of • Fertilisers • Seeds • Sprays • General Farm Supplies KNOCKSIMON, KILLUCAN, MULLINGAR, CO. WESTMEATH (087) 207 1276 Michael O’Donoghue MVB MRCVS Padraig O’Reilly MVB & Associates EQUINE PRACTICE 1A Brosna Bus. Pk., Lynn Road, Mullingar T: 044 934 8142 E: info@mevets.ie We offer a friendly and efficient service covering counties Westmeath and Offaly Highest prices guaranteed SPECIALIZING IN FARM LANDS Small and large farms required in all areas for cash buyers. Houses urgently required for sale. Phone 087 250 8626
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Midland Farmer - September 2023

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