Latest news with #FoodandRuralEnterprise
Agriland
09-07-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Suckler farm benefits from groups with other farmers
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) recently launched new Suckler Cow Fertility Themed Groups to help farmers improve key fertility metrics and build more resilient businesses. The programme is open for applications now, and participation can directly support achieving Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Suckler Cow Scheme targets. Regina McBennett, a CAFRE beef and sheep adviser recently visited the Clarke family who she has worked with for many years in the previous Business Development Groups (BDGs). The Clarke brothers farm near Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh. Gary, Gavin and Conor are better known collectively under their business name KC Hire. They have successfully blended agricultural and plant hire enterprises with lessons learned through peer learning and CAFRE support and now serve as an example of generational learning and practical innovation. Armagh suckler farm It was the brother's late father Kevin who started both the farm and the hire business. Kevin had a belief that every day was a school day whereby he could learn from the experience and ingenuity of others. This manifested itself in his participation and leadership of the legacy of Business Development Groups (BDGs) organised by CAFRE with their regional advisers across the province. While bringing at least one of the boys along to each meeting and taking his turn to host a meeting on farm, Kevin would remark to his sons that there was always 'something to learn that could be applied to our farm at home'. The farm at Flagstaff in Newry has approximately 35 suckler cows and there is a very specific focus. Principally, the aim is to maximise hybrid vigour on the maternal side and then cross back to a Charolais stock bull from the renowned now dispersed Skidoo herd. The success of this breeding plan was evident as the sire produced several top-quality weanlings that would be eligible for 'Best in Show' at Camlough weanling sales in recent years. It was both a source of enormous pride to Kevin prior to his death in June 2024 and an inspiration to his three sons who follow in his footsteps. Challenges Not everything was simple however, with the farm consisting of the typical disadvantaged land type terrain that is prevalent in south Armagh with numerous sheltered pockets beside the mountain. When faced with the absence of their father's guiding hand the three brothers had to take stock and take charge. They actively implemented a reseeding policy and a paddock grazing rotational system for the suckler herd. The boys are quickly learning that excellent grassland management is a core driver of farm profitability and herd fertility. Conor Clarke points to the immersive education he gleaned from his late father while with him at the former BDG meetings – it dawned on both generations that they were sitting 'in the midst of a wealth of knowledge'' where neighbours, friends and farmers alike were 'open and willing to share very useful and practical tips'. Gary, who is the eldest of the Clarke brothers, has spoken of the 'confidence gained from the peer-to-peer meetings which allowed me a great opportunity to connect with likeminded farmers who could help guide the farm and also shape the requirements of the hire business'. The brothers are all advocates of the educational courses offered through CAFRE as well as the new Knowledge Transfer programmes. CAFRE Suckler Cow Fertility Themed Groups are now open for application. CAFRE has said that participation in a Suckler Cow Fertility Themed Group can help increase the number of calving events achieving the annual DAERA Suckler Cow Scheme targets.
Agriland
05-05-2025
- Science
- Agriland
Reducing ammonia by up to 54% through combined innovations
Introducing management strategies to help reduce ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions and lessen the impact of the chemical on the surrounding environment is crucial. However, it is important to first of all understand the emission sources and magnitude of nitrogen (N) release to navigate the 'pinch points' on farm where you can employ innovative technologies to achieve maximum impact. Senior air quality technologist, Judith McCord states that modelling of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Dairy Centre inputs through the National Ammonia Reduction Strategy Evaluation System (NARSES) allowed the flow of total N and total amount of ammoniacal N (TAN) to be quantified. The use of this farm ammonia modelling tool identified where ammonia is produced and how N is managed through the farm enterprise cycle. The ammonia assessment was compiled using farm data relating to herd and manure management from the following three age stages of livestock: Dairy cows; Dairy calves (0-1-years-of-age); Dairy replacement heifer (1-2-years-of-age). CAFRE commissioned the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to work on the modelling of farm ammonia emissions with and without ammonia mitigation technologies applied. The modelling assessed a range of legislative and voluntary measures implemented at the CAFRE Dairy Centre. Reducing ammonia Ammonia emissions for the CAFRE Dairy Enterprise for the year modelled amounted to 3.54t. This scenario comprised as follows: 187 Holstein Friesian dairy cows; 30% replacement rate; 100% stabilised urea used on grazing and forage ground (no calcium ammonia nitrate); 100% use of low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE); Targeted and reduced crude protein (CP) diet of 17% for the milking herd; Low emission flooring in the milking cow cubicle house and high frequency scraping; All above ground slurry stores covered with an impermeable cover. Application of slurry using LESSE reduces ammonia emissions on the CAFRE Farm Estates. Low emission flooring is used within the CAFRE Dairy Centre to reduce the mixing of faeces and urine. The non-mitigated comparison modelled comprised as follows: 100% calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) (no stabilised urea) Splash plate slurry application; No targeted or reduced dietary protein; Standard concrete flooring with limited scraping; Open above ground slurry stores. This scenario resulted in modelled emissions of 6.61t NH 3 /year. At the CAFRE Dairy Centre, lactating dairy cows had 48% lower ammonia emissions when there were mitigation strategies implemented in comparison to having none in place. The dairy replacement enterprise and dairy calves had 55% and 68% lower ammonia emissions respectively when the relevant mitigation technologies were applied. McCord commented that the result was very encouraging, and said: 'The use of ammonia-reducing technologies on Northern Ireland farms will help the sector reduce ammonia emissions.' Judith McCord, senior technologist, CAFRE reports on the use of reduced and targeted crude protein diets for the dairy cattle at CAFRE. Emission sources The biggest hotspots for emissions within the CAFRE Dairy Centre were in the milking cow category and manure handling during housing and spreading. Housing emissions account for 42% of the total in both the mitigated and non-mitigated scenarios. However, mitigation technologies modelled in housing such as low emission flooring and reduced protein diets accounted for reductions of 0.78t and 0.34t/year, respectively. Emission sources on farm showed positive reductions in manure spreading and manure storage, where the use of LESSE and impermeable covered slurry stores accounted for approximately 2t/year of combined reductions. Above ground slurry stores are covered to reduce ammonia emissions at the CAFRE Dairy Centre. The use of protected urea in the mitigated scenario reduced the amount of total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions produced in comparison to unprotected urea. McCord said: 'Mitigation strategies that can be implemented at various stages of the system will help to reduce ammonia emissions.' 'Demonstrated clearly at CAFRE – the efficient management of nitrogen can contribute to a reduction of ammonia emissions by up to 54%.' The top three ammonia-reduction technologies to apply on farm, based on the CAFRE ammonia emissions scenarios, are as follows: 100% use of LESSE; Installing low emission flooring which has an ammonia efficiency factor of 11kg NH 3 , alongside high frequency scraping (every 2 hours); , alongside high frequency scraping (every 2 hours); Reducing CP in milking cow diets by up to 2%.
Agriland
02-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
NI National Hedgerow Week to take place next week
The Tree Council along with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Northern Ireland are celebrating hedgerows as part National Hedgerow Week which begins next Monday, May 5 and this year's theme is the 'Future of Hedgerows'. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has described hedges being an incredible asset to farms, providing shelter to livestock, capturing carbon and providing food and shelter for a significant proportion of wildlife. Senior biodiversity technologist at CAFRE Nicola Warden said:: 'National Hedgerow Week is about highlighting the important role hedgerows have in our farmed landscape. 'Working within the biodiversity team at CAFRE, we help the farm team to manage existing hedgerows and plant new ones across the farms. 'Throughout the year, it is important to be considering options for future hedge planting and management. 'An existing hedge could be rejuvenated, or a new hedge could be planted to connect two existing habitats, to provide shelter for livestock or to provide wildlife with a network of living field boundaries where they can find adequate spaces to nest, rest or forage within.' Student learning about planting new hedges at CAFRE A recent bird survey carried out across the CAFRE lowland farms found that there are a lot of hedgerow bird species such as blackbirds, wrens and dunnocks using CAFRE hedges to nest or forage in. CAFRE has been managing existing hedgerows to maximise their biodiversity potential through moving away from an annual cut to a three-year rotational cut on suitable internal hedges. 'This has increased the area available to birds to set up safe nesting sites where the nests can be out of reach of predators,' Warden continued. 'Moving to a three-year rotational cut will also allow the hedge species to produce more flowers during the summer and a lot of berries to feed the bird population throughout the winter period. A new mixed species hedgerow planted by students protected from weeds using biodegradable film 'In line with the theme for [National] Hedgerow Week, CAFRE is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge required to allow them to plant new hedges in the future and manage existing hedges to maximise their biodiversity potential. 'Each year approximately 300m of new hedgerow is established with Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma students.'
Agriland
02-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Tillage: Priorities for May Bank Holiday
Getting magnesium and manganese on to spring barley crops has been highlighted as a May Bank Holiday tillage priority by tillage specialists. Specifically, where magnesium is concerned, barley crops are seeking to push through their growth stages at an enhanced rate. However, the cool night-time temperatures that still characterise this time of the year mean that individual plants cannot source the soil's magnesium reserves quickly enough. Teagasc tillage specialist, Shay Phelan, said: 'Magnesium is a critical component of chlorophyll. Signs of deficiency show up as yellow edging on leaves. 'However, an application of Epsom salts will quickly address the issue.' Phelan attended a recent crops walk, hosted by Limavady cereal grower, Andrew Blair. The event had been hosted by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) as a forerunner to the establishment of new farm Business Sustainability Groups (BSGs). Attending the recent crops' walk hosted by Andrew Blair, (l-r) Christian Melly, agronomist with Fane Valley, and Mark McCollum, cereal grower, Limavady Phelan also confirmed the necessity of getting a fungicide treatment on to winter barley crops at the 'awns peeping' stage. 'Many crops will be reaching this stage on their development over the coming days,' he said. Phelan said the aim is to control ramularia, which is the disease that can cause most damage to winter barley crops from now though until harvest. 'One spray application will suffice at this stage. But it has got to be timed properly,' he said. 'Repeated Teagasc trials have confirmed the rationale of a two spray fungicide programme on winter barley crops. 'The first spray will target the likes of net blotch and Rhynchosporium. After that the focus switches to ramularia control.' The Teagasc representative further explained why treating winter crops at this stage is so important. 'Unlike wheat, where yield develops in the crop canopy as the crop progresses, winter barley have crops amassed all their output potential in the tillers that have developed over recent weeks. 'The priority over the coming days is to protect the yield potential that now exists within the barley plants. 'This is why getting an effective application on to barley at the awns peeping stage is so important,' Phelan said. Significantly, the weather is set fair for the coming days. Ground conditions are already good. So there is every opportunity for tillage farmers to get on with field work in an unhindered manner. Winter barley growing on the Limavady farm of Andrew Blair Andrew Blair farms close to Limavady in Co. Derry. This year he is growing both six-row hybrid and conventional two-row winter barley varieties. His hybrid crop has received three plant growth regulator applications over recent weeks. September drilled, all his winter barleys are looking tremendously well at the present time. Andrew makes optimal use of animal manures and composts on all his cropping land.
Agriland
26-04-2025
- General
- Agriland
CAFRE to host dry stone walling courses in May
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) will host a number of dry stone walling day courses at its Hill Farm Centre in Glenwherry, Ballymena, Co. Antrim throughout May. The training will be an introduction to single skinned dry stone walling for field boundary repairs and maintenance, CAFRE explained. The day courses will consist of a classroom session and an on-site practical exercise. The course will cover information on health and safety, types and styles of dry stone walls, site preparation, stone selection, and the skills required to construct and maintain dry stone walls. The training sessions, which are free of charge, will each take place over the course of one day, beginning at 10:00a.m. and finishing at approximately 3:00p.m. According to CAFRE, dry stone walls are integral to the fabric of the landscape and can last for many lifetimes if properly maintained. The iconic infrastructure was classified as a 'protected cultural heritage' by UNESCO in December 2024. Dry stone walls also reportedly provide excellent shelter and homes for a wide range of small mammals, birds, and insects, therefore their existence has additional biodiversity benefits. Examples of the walls can be found in the Mourne Mountains and the Glens of Antrim. CAFRE's biodiversity technologist, Niamh Woods said: 'The course will give participants the skills and knowledge to repair and maintain a single skinned dry stone wall to be stock-proof, maintain biosecurity with neighbouring farms and comply with agri-environment scheme agreements. 'Each course will take place for one day and will include a short theory session followed by an on-site practical and is open to all farmers, land managers, or enthusiasts.' This training event will be particularly beneficial for farmers and land managers who are completing dry stone walling as part of their Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) Agreement, CAFRE stated. Participants on the course are required to wear strong work gloves, steel toe capped boots, and warm outdoor clothing, and to bring a packed lunch and drinks. All other tools and safety equipment will be provided on the day, CAFRE maintained. The prospective training course dates are as follows: Wednesday, May 7; Thursday, May 8; Wednesday, May 21; Thursday, 22 May – which is now fully booked. CAFRE advised interested participants to register attendance on the college's website.
