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MED
Partnership name is derived from the three waterways that
traverse the area; the Melvin, the Erne and the Duff |
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Monthly Committee Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. The next Monthly Committee Meeting is on Tuesday March 13th 2012 @ 8.00pm
2012 AGM:
The 2012 AGM has been set for Tuesday February 7th 2012 at 8.00pm in Dorrian's Imperial Hotel, Main Street, Ballyshannon. All MED members are asked to attend. The Keynote Presentation will be on the subject of BVD.
2012 MED MEMBERSHIP:
General Membership Fee: €50 or £45
AI - FBD - MED Sale Package: €100
All members are eligible to avail of Discussion Groups, Farm Walks, & Preference on RES Training Courses.
All membership fees must be paid by 30th of April 2012.
Irish Angus Elite Show and Sale
Congratulations to John and Emmet Mc Nulty, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal who sold an Angus bull for €3,300 at the Irish Angus Society Show and Sale held in Carrick on Shannon, on Saturday December 10th 2011. The purchaser was Padraic Egan from Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.
Co Antrim Farm Visit
MED Partnership organized a very enjoyable visit to two farms in Co Antrim on Monday 12th September 2011.
Travelling by coach, members visited the farm of Mr. William Haire in Crumlin, a few miles from Belfast and situated on the lower slopes of Divis Mountain,
William, a member of the National Beef Association, along with his parents, runs a pedigree herd of Herefords and through the use of genetics, EBV’s etc, he is producing top quality Hereford bulls and has recorded record prices in Carlisle Bull Sales and to private buyers. William also runs a commercial herd of 30 Hereford cross Ayreshire cows which he crosses with an Aberdeen Angus bull.
William feels that by using the Aberdeen Angus bull on his cows he has less problems at calving time, and his cows are capable of feeding their calves throughout the summer until weaning in the autumn.
Following refreshments, William and his Dad took us all on a visit around the farm and everyone in the group appreciated the hospitality and the information afforded to us.
Following lunch at the Dunsilly Hotel, the group visited the farm of Mr. Seamus Kane, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim.
Seamus, a Focus Farmer, along with his wife and Dad, runs 80 Aberdeen Angus cross cows along with two Charolias bulls on 140 acres. He sources his replacement heifers locally and feels that these cows combined with the Charolias bull may not in his own words "produce show winners "but will breed and rear a very saleable calf with little or no concentrate.
He also runs 250 sheep, mainly mule ewes withTexal and suffock tups and sells his lambs through a local group straight to the factory.
Recently he erected a Poultry house with a capacity for 39,000 birds producing chicken for Moy Park. This very modern farm using modern technology and forward thinking principles demonstrate how, with the use of minimal labour an enterprise such as this can be managed very successfully.
His grassland management(reseeding,) and the use of chicken litter which reduces his fertilizer bill by over 50% combined with his innovative ideas around the farm made this visit both interesting and informative and was enjoyed by all.
New Role for Marty Lenehan
Three beef processors and three farmers were this week named on the Beef 2020 group to guide implementation of the recommendations of the Food Harvest 2020 Report in relation to beef. The group will be chaired by Michael Dowling, former secretary general of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith said the main target of the report was an increase of 20% in the value of beef output by 2020.
Members:
Niall Browne (Dawn Meats Group)
John Horgan (Kepak)
Finbar Mc Donnell (AIBP)
Joe Brady; Beef Farmer, Co. Cavan
Paul Kehoe; Beef Farmer, Co. Wexford
Martin Lenehan; Beef Farmer, Co. Sligo
The minister has asked the group "to focus on implementing the recommendations of Food Harvest, to quickly identify the appropriate next steps and to engage with stakeholders to ensure that they play their part in implementing the recommendations".
Congratulations Cathal Daly
Congratulations Cathal Daly on achieving 3rd prize in autumn born class at the National Charolais Show in Carrick on Shannon on the 28th of August 2010. Cathal is the son of MED members Michael and Kathleen from Tullaghan, Co. Leitrim. The heifer which was sired from the Charolais bull “Fury Action”, beat off stiff competition from accomplished breeders nationwide, to achieve a top three position. The same heifer calf was successful at several local agricultural shows, including Ballyshannon and Ballina. Cathal helps out on the family farm at Tullaghan and he says, “My dad attends the Rural Enterprise Skillnet training courses and he learns a lot on improved breeding techniques and we try to implement this on our farm. This heifer calf has been produced as result of our improved breeding policy.”
It was a good day at the show for the Daly family, as Cathal’s cousin, Ciaran won 1st prize in spring born class with a Charolais bull calf, sired by “Clonoulty Andraemon”.
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National Charolais Show Success for Leitrim Breeder:
Congratulations to Jon Regan who exhibited 3 calves at the national Charolais Show in Carrick - on -Shannon on August 28th 2010 and brought home 6 prizes. Jon, from Liscalley, Tawley, Co Leitrim won 1st prize in the November to December 15th 2009 born calf and the same calf was reserve champion in the senior male calf championship. He also exhibited the 1st and 2nd prize winning heifer calves in the November- December 15th category, 1st prize in the calf pairs and 1st prize in the exhibitor bred section with three homebred calves.
Top Photograph: Jon Regan with "Liscally Emerald Star"
Bottom Photograph: Jon Regan with "Liscally Eti"
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Top Prices at MED Annual Weanling Sale:
The MED brand annual weanling sale was held in Ballyshannon Mart on Wednesday October 5th. There was an excellent trade for all of the 93 weanlings offered for sale under the MED Partnership brand, all of which are AI progeny. 57 weanling bulls averaged 400 kgs achieving an average of €513.00 above their weight 36 heifers averaged 375 kgs and achieved €451.00 above their weight. Top individual prices were achieved by MED member Edward Mc Gowan, Kinlough whose Charolais X bull weanling achieved €1490.00 and €770.00 above his weight.
Pictured are 3 bull weanlings produced by MED member Edward Mc Gowan, Kinlough and averaged 623kgs and sold for average €727.00 above their weight, ( average €1350.00).
Edward’s success is testimony to the effectiveness of the AI Project and his commitment to the goals of MED Partnership.
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CONGRATULATIONS:
Congratulations to Francis Flanagan who received a certificate in recognition of his work in the community at the Annual Fermanagh Rural Community Network Awards (FRCN) in Gransha Hall, Bellanaleck on Monday 19th October 2009. See;
www.fermanaghtv.com for full report.
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Ballyshannon Agricultural Show will take place on Sunday the 21th of August 2011.
The M.E.D. sponsored breeding heifer judging event was very successful. There were over 40 participants in the Junior section and over 60 participants in the senior section. M.E.D. would like to thank all those who took part.
Results:
Junior Section: 1st Denise Carty, 2nd Cathal Daly, 3rd Shane Carty.
Senior Section: 1st Francis Gillespie, 2nd Cole Quigley, 3rd Gerry Carty.
Thanks are due to John Barron, Francis Flanagan, Pat Johnston, and Patsy Burns, for their trojan work as stewards on the day.
Thanks are also due to Neville Myles, John Barron, Jim Daly, and Gerry Ferguson, for supplying exhibition stock.
website: www.ballyshannonshow.com |
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European Champion-------Well Done Niall
Congratulations to Niall Brennan who recently won the Young European Shepherd of the year. Niall spent two days in Paris during which he had to prove his technical knowledge and competence in sheep drafting catching, loading, quad driving, and carcass assessment. Niall fended off competition from N.Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, France, the Netherlands and Germany.
Niall is son of MED Partnership members Francis and Patricia Brennan, Newtownward, Grange, Co Sligo and is currently studying advanced dry stock management at Gurteen College in Tipperary.
Niall undertook a City & Guilds Sheep shearing course funded through the BMW Small Holder Skillnet Programme in May 2009.
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2011 AGM:
The 2011 AGM was held on Tuesday February 08th 2011 in the Venue Carlton Hotel, Belleek, Co. Fermanagh.
The 2011 Officer Board is:
Chairperson: Pat Johnston Vice - Chairperson: Jim Brennan
Secretary: Hugh Gillespie Assistant Secretary: Martin Doyle
Treasurers: Gerry Ferguson & Francis Flanagan
P.R.O. : Molly Reynolds (Rep. of Ireland) Robert Ovens (N. Ireland)
Quality Cattle 2011 AI Scheme was launched in conjunction with the AGM. Jeremy Mc Gonigle gave an excellent presentation on the achievements of the scheme to date and future goals. The 2011 scheme is year 5 of the 2007 - 2011 Project. .
Year 4 of the project has closed and members have submitted AI dockets to enable MED staff to process payments.
The M.E.D. Cattle Committee wish to acknowledge the generous ongoing sponsorship of The Irish Charolais Cattle Society, The Irish Limousin Cattle Society and The Irish Simmental Cattle Society for the AI Project.
An overview of the Community Pharmacy Project was also presented.
MED are delighted to announce that fully paid up 2011 members can avail of a special discount with FBD Insurance. For further information please contact the MED office.
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Mobile Slurry Separator:
The official Launch was held on Wednesday May 10th 2007 on John Ovens Farm, Roscor, Belleek at 6.30p.m. This event proved very successful, and was well attended, in glorious early summer sunshine. Many thanks are extended to John and Elizabeth Ovens for their hosting of the launch. They contributed greatly to the success of the event.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gate to Plate project has recruited its 40 participants and 10 network events have been held. 100 claims have been processed so far and all farmers have been paid.236 replacement heifers have been purchased. The total spend is in excess of €170,000.00 on livestock. All participants are encouraged to submit claims as soon as possible.
Farm Recycling:
M.E.D. Rural Development Company Ltd. in association with Emerald Isle Recycling have been distributing bins for recycling farm plastics. The system involves use of the patented Solway Recycling Bin and liner. Over 30 bins have been purchased. For further details please contact Pat Johnston or Gerry Ferguson. You can also visit www.emeraldislerecycle.com for further information. This initiative is now complete. It is expected that a plastic uplift will be arranged for later this year.
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West Fermanagh Farmers Reap the Benefits of a Dedicated Breeding Programme
A West Fermanagh based farming enterprise achieved exceptional prices for their home bred produce in March of 2010.
Father and son partnership, George and Edwin Earls, both members of M.E.D. Partnership, farm extensively at Ardees Lower, Belleek. The first consignment sold were young bulls sent directly to slaughter in January and 97% of these animals achieved U grades. Examples of the weights and prices were:
U3409Kg - £1104 -------- U3406Kg - £1096 ---------- & U3405Kg - £1093. Mainly Limousin and Charolais cross, they averaged £2.70 per Kilo. With the stringent rules currently in place the eldest of the consignment was one day short of sixteen months.
Stock offered for sale at local markets returned prices of ; £885 for 505Kgs, £845 for 484Kgs and £830 for 536Kgs.
This enterprise has seen all of their stock command top prices for the last number of years, due mainly to the provision of adaquate storage/accommodation prior to the introduction of Waste Management Regulations, attention to grassland management, quality silage, excellent stockmanship, and an extensive breeding programme using mainly quality limousin bulls to breed foundation stock. The recent purchase of a quality Charolais bull will continue this dedicated herd improvement trend.
M.E.D. Partnership would like to congratulate George and Edwin and wish them both every success with their progressive herd management.
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Congratulations to John Barron, who has been elected to the position of Chairman The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) Rural Development Committee.
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Francis Brennan Story; coming soon
Marty Lenehan field trip; coming soon
Justin Mc Carthy in Donegal; coming soon
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Useful websites:
www.farmersjournal.ie/cap --keep up to date with the latest CAP news.
www.jobcentreonline.com
www.ruralni.gov.uk herd registration and much more.
www.community-relations.org.uk/resources/what_is_community_relations
www.oxmountainhillsheep.com
http://www.eazysafelc.com/LearningCentre/farmers/00_login.htm
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MED
Rural Development Company Ltd T/A MED Partnership Group
Donegal Road, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
tel: 071 9858252 | fax: 071 9858253 | e-mail: info@medpartnership.com |
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