SAVE OUR SUCKLERS??? Tonight I attended the "Save our Sucklers" event in Carndonagh mart. I wanted to find out what the campaign was about and see what the proposals were. The information document spoke of "The campaign for the introduction of a suckler cow support payment of €200/cow to underpin the sector and halt rural decline". A noble ambition - but how would it work? I listened to Mr Woods from the IFA to hear his plan but he just said we needed €200 per cow with no explanation or detail. When he finished his presentation I took the opportunity to ask him from the floor When could we expect the payment, What would farmers have to do, and where the money would come from to fund it bearing in mind it could cost up to €200m? He responded by saying that I must work for the Minister for Agriculture and made no attempt to answer what i think were very valid questions. When pressed he showed a total lack of understanding of pillar 1 and 2 payments for farmers. Unfortunately the save our Sucklers campaign would appear to be, at best, a very poorly thought out campaign with no strategy in place, or at worst, an attempt to give suckler farmers false hope for the future. We can only hope that they will redeem themselves by producing a transparent, workable and logical proposal.

Inishowen branch of INHFA are holding a very informative meeting in the Sliabh Sneacht Centre on Thursday night at 8.00 we have two top speakers Dr Eileen Mc Closkey sheep Technolagist with the Northern Ireland Dept of Ag and vet Mr Gerard Roarty, both will give us an insight into management of up lands and the roles cattle and sheep can play in it. The future of farming in Inishowen will be discussed with some insight into future policy for payments to farmers. Other current issues will also be discussed and everyone is welcome members and non members. Tea and coffee after

A deputation from INHFA, including myself, had an emergency meeting with the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise yesterday on behalf of farmers who have not received their payments in Inishowen and other areas of Ireland due to the hill fires in May 2017. We are now having a meeting for affected farmers in the Inishowen area tomorrow, Wednesday at 7:30 in the Sliabh Sneacht centre to advise individual farmers what they now need to do to get their payments. Please let everyone know about this meeting

Last GLAS training course for 2017, on Saturday 16th of December, in Sliabh Sneacht centre. GLAS 1& 2 participants to have course done by year end. Few places still available. Contact me anytime.

More GLAS training courses lined up in the Sliabh Sneacht Centre for : Saturday 9th December Saturday 16th December Monday 18th December Mid January 2018 (for GLAS 3 Farmers) GLAS1 and GLAS 2 farmers have to have training done by the end of 2017 GLAS 3 farmers have until the end of 2018 to have the course done but ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO DO THE COURSE EARLY TO KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AND AVOID PENALTIES. Please share

#happy12thbirthday #ellieb

#lovingthesunshinetoday

#feelingnostalgic

#havetocallinthehelpwhenhenryaway#farminglife#notenjoyingthe6amlambing😴

#greatexcitement#firstbabylambs@odonnells

#feedingtime#withmygirls#stinkysmell