Issuu

The Southern Star | 1

SPRING 2026

• Managing cashﬂow • TAMS grants • Farm Classics special • Buildings and infrastructure • Interview with Seamus Daly of Drinagh Co-op • Photos and lots more

FARMING NEWS, VIEWS, PHOTOS AND LOTS MORE 1

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Welcome to spring 2026 edition of West Cork Farming IN this edition, you’ll find lots of news, views, information and advice regarding all things agricultural in West Cork and beyond. We have expert advice and information on managing cashflow, farm buildings and infrastructure, TAMS grants and an interview with Drinagh Co-op CEO Seamus Daly. Enjoy a special ‘Back in the Day’ photo special that looks at aspects of agriculture in West Cork over the years plus a fascinating insight into William Thompson, a West Cork man who was an early advocate for the co-operative movement. There’s also a special 250th instalment of the weekly Farm Classics column and a report on a recent visit to Skibbereen Mart. All of this and lots more in this bumper 56-page edition. Here in The Southern Star we really value and support our local farming community, and we endeavour to reflect this, not only in this magazine, but also in our extensive agricultural coverage in the main paper every week, online, and in the prestigious and hugely popular West Cork Farming Awards, with the first monthly winner for 2026 being announced in the paper on April 16th. We ask that you continue to support the West Cork farming community (and help the environment) by choosing to source your produce locally. We also ask that you extend that support to our advertisers who provide a complete range of products and services to West Cork farmers. Thank you. The Southern Star | 1

SPRING 2026

• Managing cashﬂow

• TAMS grants • Farm Classics special

- The Southern Star team

• Buildings and infrastructure • Interview with Seamus Daly of Drinagh Co-op

If you’d like to advertise in a future edition of this magazine or in the Farming section of the newspaper please contact our offices on 028-21200 or email advertising@southernstar.ie

• Photos and lots more

S, PHOTOS AND LOTS

FARMING NEWS, VIEW

BACK TO GRASS PROMO! 26TH MARCH - 2ND

MAY

2026

Shop instore or online onl n ine at nl a www.drinaghhardware.ie www ww ww. w.dr dri rina nag agh ghh hha hardw dwa dw ware.ie Farmstokk Fencing Products

Save €50

ALL OTHER FARMSTOKK PRODUCTS Save €100

Save €30

Eligible for tams 3

Solar Fencer S4200

Now €48

Battery Fencer B5

Now €20

0pk Pigtail Postt 110pk

Mains Fencer

Buy 2 Get 1E EXT EXTRA X RA XT FREE F

Now €16

Geared Reel Handle & Polywire

Standard Ring Insulators 100pk

BANTRY FARM CENTRE...... Thursday 9th: 10am-4pm

DUNMANWAY H/W................. Saturday 11th: 10am-4pm

GALLAGHER INSTORE OPEN DAYS APRIL 2026

DRINAGH CENTRAL......... Thursday 16th: 10am - 12pm LOWERTOWN..................... Thursday 16th: 2pm - 4pm SKIBBEREEN H/W............... Saturday 18th: 10am-4pm

8 Light Neon Fence Tester ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF FENCERS TESTED FOR FAULTS

Polywire l ire Y Ye Yellow ellow o & White White 6 Strand 200m

Promotions and Raffles! Keep an eye on our Social Media channels

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Putting our best foot forward for water A new campaign being rolled out at a national level aims to improve water quality through awareness and better farming practices, writes Emma Connolly WEST Cork farmers are urged to get on board with a national campaign aiming to support and accelerate the adoption of actions on all farms to improve water quality. With latest EPA figures showing a worrying decline in some local catchments and given the clock is ticking on the three-year extension to the nitrates derogation, up for review in 2028, intervention has been deemed critical. Called the ‘Better Farming for Water’ (BFFW) campaign, the objective of the seven-year government initiative being run by Teagasc is to support all farmers to reduce the loads of nitrogen, phosphate, sediment and pesticides entering river networks. Eight priority catchments have been identified nationwide to focus on, including the Bandon-Ilen catchment which is home to some of the most productive agricultural land in the country with 83% under grassland. The catchment stretches from Templebreedy Battery on the outer Cork Harbour coastline to Brow Head on the Mizen Peninsula and drains the Rivers Bandon and Ilen and their associated tributaries, forming a diverse and extensive hydrological system. In total there are 180,300 Ha

Oisín Coakley of Teagasc.

of which 152,684 Ha is farmland, among 5,698 farmers. The Lee catchment which takes in parts of Macroom has also been singled out for attention. West Cork man Oisín Coakley, who works with Teagasc, has been appointed catchment co-ordinator for both areas and is responsible for leading and implementing a targeted programme aimed at improving water quality across the region. Despite the great work being done by the majority of farmers, and the work done by existing water quality programmes such as Teagasc’s ACP, ACRES and ASSAP, latest water quality trends by the EPA underscore the urgency of intervention, emphasised Oisín. ‘According to the most recent EPA Water Quality in Ireland Report (released at the end of last year), 61% of assigned surface waterbodies (68 of 111) in the greater Bandon–Ilen catchment are achieving Good or High Ecological Status – which is a decline from the previous figure (EPA report 2016 – 2021) of 75% (83 of 111). In that report the Bandon-Ilen catchment was performing among the best in class on a national level alongside its neighbouring catchments of the Dunmanus-Bantry-Kenmare catchment which has seen a similar fall in the proportion of monitored surface waters achieving good or high (82% down to 68%). ‘On the neighbouring side is the Lee catchment where the figure has been hovering at around 63% (68 of 110 in 2021; and 69 of 110 in 2024) in the latest and previous EPA report of all assigned surface waters achieving good status or above. ‘Having said that, 61% is still considerably above the national average figure of 52% delivered in the latest report, but this deterioration highlights the need for targeted measures to halt and reverse recent trends,’ he said. Land use in the catchment is dominated by dairy and drystock agriculture, alongside tillage, commercial forestry, and several significant urban centres. ‘Bandon is the largest of these, with Kinsale, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, and Dunmanway also playing key roles. EPA assessments identify agriculture as the

single largest pressure on water quality, compounded in some areas by urban wastewater, domestic treatment systems, urban run-off, forestry activity, and hydromorphological change,’ said Oisín. He pointed out how a growing number of waterbodies in the catchment are now classed as ‘at risk’ of failing to meet their Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives. ‘The catchment also holds 12 High Status Objective (HSO) waterbodies, designated for their historically pristine condition, longstanding ecological stability, and minimal disturbance, reflecting the stewardship of local communities and generations of farming families.

However, the latest EPA Water Quality in Ireland 2019–2024 report shows eight of these HSO waterbodies are now failing to meet High Status – a significant decline compared with three failing in the previous (2016–2021) assessment cycle. This represents a notable deterioration in some of the catchment’s most valuable and sensitive waterways,’ he said. ‘The catchment’s substantial agricultural footprint, the intensity of its pressure profile, and the presence of high-value waterbodies in need of protection all highlight the need for coordinated, decisive action. To deliver this, BFFW is built on a multiactor collaborative model, centred

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 on the establishment of a local Catchment Implementation Group (CIG),’ said Oisín. The CIG comprises: an Oversight Committee, with strong farmer representation from all farming sectors alongside the relevant agricultural industry actors, and chaired by local retired dairy, beef, and tillage farmer Roy Kingston; and a dedicated on-the-ground Delivery Team, responsible for implementing required actions at farm level. ‘This structure is supported by our main industry lead, Carbery Group in

Ballineen, and brings together the full range of available expertise, from scientific evidence and hydrological assessment to on-farm advisory capacity and practical experience. This integrated approach ensures targeted advisory support, practical mitigation measures, and strong on-farm implementation.’ Oisín explains how the plan will involve targeting three critical management areas: nutrient management, farmyard management and land management. This will be achieved through the on-

farm adoption of eight actions for change. These include: • reducing purchased nitrogen and phosphorus surplus per hectare • ensuring application of fertiliser and organic manure at appropriate times and conditions • managing and minimising nutrient loss from farmyards and roadways • promoting targeted use of mitigation actions such as riparian margins, buffer strips and sediment traps to mitigate nutrient and sediment loss to water and

maintaining over-winter green cover to reduce nutrient leaching from tillage soils. ‘Given both the scale and complexity of the Bandon–Ilen catchment it represents a critical landscape where a science-led catchment approach informing an all of industry collaborative effort spearheaded by sensible and implementable on-farm actions has the potential to deliver real, measurable improvements in our local water quality in the years ahead,’ concluded Oisín.

Bandon and Ilen rivers catchment/sub-catchment areas and below, the Lee river catchment/sub-catchment area.

Southern 6 | The Southern Star | West StarCork Farming Spring 2026

Preparation is key for infrastructure Improving buildings, storage and the overall layout of your farmyard takes careful thought, time and forward planning, writes EMMA CONNOLLY Establish what you want and what you need

Visit other farms, talk to farmers, attend discussion groups, open days etc. There’s a lot of information and experience in the locality, avail of it to inform your own project and improve the outcome.

Planning and design

Cork-based Grasstec Group, who are experts in farmyard design, say it’s important to be clear on: • What are you building? Eg milking parlour, slatted house, cubicle shed, calf house, slurry storage or silage pit • Site and location: Is it a greenfield site? Is it an extension or a modification to an existing building/yard? • Size: factors include cow numbers, site location • Planning permission and compliance: Do you need planning permission/retention on all building? • Safety measures: use of mass concrete walls for silage pits or feed storage etc. Agitation points for slurry storage must be external for safety • Budget: Be clear on funds to avoid having to cut corners towards the end of the project. Hidden costs include site preparation, surveys, design changes, landscaping. The financial plan should project cash flow for several years to ensure the business can meet repayments and living expenses

David Walsh of Barryroe Co-op and Paudie Keohane of Keohane Readymix.

Common pitfalls

Grasstec say it’s important to be clear on:

Design: •

Grant applications

•

Once planning is secured (this takes approximately three months) the very next step is to contact your agri adviser, says David Walsh, Barryroe Co-op’s farm adviser, and then get your builder in place. • Grants of up to 40% are available for farm building projects and 60% for slurry storage (which has to be increased by 20% b 2028) and David, and other advisers, will advise on what capital investment scheme to apply under (eg young farmer; animal welfare etc). Note, however, that grants are paid according to the department’s costings, and not the farmers. • Be realistic with timelines: grant approval can take from three-six months and approval is not always guaranteed. Some schemes are oversubscribed and are paid on a marking scheme with fewer marks going to intensive farmers etc. • Absolutely no works can begin until approval is secured and a pre-approval inspection can take place. • Payment is made within 6-12 months on completion of works. That’s why it’s vital not to finance the project from cashflow, or short-term finance. Give yourself time and space, and avoid potential financial stress, advises David. • It all takes time. Start thinking about a project up to 12 months before you’d like to begin, he says.

•

Facing an open-ended shed southwest (the direction of 70% of wind and rain in regions like Ireland) creates a cold, wet environment that harms livestock health. Having new cubicles or a parlour without a master yard layout makes daily tasks difficult and labour-intensive. Not leaving the cattle crush or handling unit as an afterthought – instead integrate it at the design stage.

Sizing & structural errors: • •

Skimping on height to save money often prevents modern machinery ie silage grab, loader from entering safely. Avoid designing passages that are too narrow (eg under 4m)

Planning & compliance: • • •

Don’t assume a building is an exempted development without checking all criteria – such as being at least 100m from a neighbour’s house or not exceeding height limits. Submitting plans that are not to scale or have inaccurate red lines for the site boundary can cause immediate refusal and wasted costs. Check for underground gas/water lines and don’t forget the mandatory twomonth notice for work near overhead electricity lines.

Financial & strategic: •

Don’t underestimate hidden costs – getting a quote that excludes essential drainage, site prep, or internal finishes like electrical sockets can be a problem later.

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Sustainability innovations to consider •

•

Rainwater harvesting & greywater recycling: Beyond just collecting water, modern designs can incorporate greywater recycling for non-potable uses like floor cleaning. This reduces dependency on local supplies and minimises operational costs. Solar panels mounted on the roof of a milking parlour or shed depending on position can be very cost-effective. Grant aid of 60% is available but David Walsh of Barryroe Co-op says only one in four grant applications for solar panels are currently successful as the scheme is over subscribed.

Realising the plan

It is extremely important to engage a good builder, considering the capital investment and to seek trusted advice throughout. Paudie Keohane of Keohane Readymix says: ‘Farmers frequently consult us during early discussions for advice on the most effective way to achieve the end goal by means of forward planning and value engineering the proposed project. A phased approach allows farmers to manage cashflow, align works with grant approvals and ensure each stage supports the overall vision for the farm.’ He says it’s rare to see a farmer regret investing in infrastructure. ‘Developments are usually designed to improve efficiency and compliance, and ultimately make farmers’ lives easier. I always advise to go big with slurry storage. We have returned to numerous farms just a few years after completing a project to extend storage. It is significantly more cost-effective to build additional capacity at the outset than to retrofit later. With evolving environmental regulations and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, slurry often needs to be stored for longer periods. ‘If you take a winter like we’ve just had, opportunities for spreading slurry have been very limited since the opening of the season, requiring farmers to have extra capacity. Planning for greater storage from day one provides security, flexibility and future-proofs the investment.’

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

For Sale

c.64 acres

c.15 acres

Buying, selling Buying, selling leasing farmland farmland in in or or leasing West Cork? Cork? West

Talk Talk to to the the

experts experts

Gallanes, Clonakilty

Incharoe, Kealkil

Coming Soon

Bandon

Ovens

c.44 acres

c.102 acres

Under Offer

Baurleigh, Kilbrittain

Cashel, Leap

Inchigeela, Macroom

Kilmoylerane, Ballinascarthy

Under Offer

Sale Agreed

Lahanaght, Drimoleague

Lispatrick Lower, r Kinsale r,

Riverview House, Bandon

Keelnacronagh, Enniskeane

Ardkitt East, Enniskeane

Ardkilleen, Enniskeane

Bunanumera, Dunmanway

Dromerk, k Dunmanway k,

Garryhankard, Innishannon

Knockacroghera, Coachford

Lislee, Courtmacsherry

Knockskeagh, Leap

c.49 acres

c.45 acres

c.331 acres

c.37 acres

c.69 acres

c.14 acres

c.41 acres

c.15 acres

PSRA PSRA No: No: 004292 004292

www.hodnettforde.com

023 8833367 8

9 | The Southern Star

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

This island life

West Cork is renowned for its neighbourliness and community spirit – traits that are essential when dealing with the extra challenges of farming on an off-shore island writes, Helen Riddell

FARMING on an offshore island has its own challenges, but it’s a life steeped in tradition where the help of neighbours and the local community comes into its own. Island farmers also have to contend with host of issues on a daily basis – getting vets onto the island in an emergency, transporting feed onto the island and livestock out to marts, all while contending with the impact of unpredictable weather on the operations of ferries. Cape Clear-based farmer Fiona MacLachlan was born in Singapore where her Middleton-born father was based as a pilot. ‘My father’s contract specified that he had to take two months off every year, but that time couldn’t be spent in the Far East. He needed to have a base for these two months, and ended up buying a house on Cape Clear.’ The family later bought land on the island, and after some time spent travelling, Fiona moved to the island in 2000 to become a full-time farmer. She currently farms 30 acres and keeps to her father’s plan to only farm native breeds, which include Kerry cattle and Kerry bog ponies. In the past year, Fiona decided to reorganise her farm in order to have a lower stocking rate and encourage greater biodiversity. She sold her existing livestock and bought two Kerry heifers. ‘They’re too young to calf this year, so I’ll be going back into the calving routine from next year.’ Fiona enjoys her life as an island farmer, but says it does come with its own unique concerns, particularly sourcing emergency veterinary care which she says is a worry. ‘The local vets are brilliant, and will try and diagnose as much as they can by phone. If it turns out the problem can’t be treated by an injection or antibiotics, then you need to get the animal loaded into a trailer, onto the ferry and out to the mainland as soon as possible.’ She credits the help of the island community in coming together to help at such time. ‘Neighbours really help each other here. Everyone on the island has some knowledge of animal welfare, and will help you if you

need advice.’ She explains that the emergency services refer to islands as ships at sea. ‘We are treated in the same way, if one of the islanders experiences a medical emergency, they are evacuated by helicopter or lifeboat, and to an extent the islanders themselves act like the crew of a ship, coming together to helping each other out in a crisis.’ Fiona is adamant that there should be more help for island farmers. ‘My father was the secretary of the local branch of the IFA and his big issue was that there should be no cargo charges to the island.’ She outlines that bringing in hay or animal feed to the island not only costs extra but requires additional handling. ‘We have a really good supplier, who will bring in his tractor and trailer on the ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off ) ferry and deliver to a central point on the island, but there’s an additional charge on each bale brought in. Added to that you’re constantly watching the forecast to see if the ro-ro can operate.’ The additional handling of all items coming into an island is also time consuming and can lead to damage. ‘On the mainland, you order hay and it’s loaded onto a trailer and delivered straight to your farm. For us, the hay is dropped to a central point, then you have to load it again, and offload it at your farm. All the extra handling it can cause breakage.’ It’s the same she says for getting bags of feed onto the island. ‘The feed bag is put onto the boat, you need to be there on time to meet the boat, or the seagulls will get to the bags before you do!’ The system of getting animals off the island and to the local mart in Skibbereen, has improved she says. ‘At one stage they used to put straps under the animals and swing them onto the boat, but we nearly lost an animal doing that and there were welfare issues.’ Now she says a trailer comes in and a crane lifts the trailers on and off the boat, however, the problem is she says that the ferry can only accommodate a limited number of trailers. 9

Cape Clear farmer Fiona MacLachlan says that there should be more assistance for island farmers who face greater challenges than their mainland counterparts. However, Fiona does credit one innovation since the pandemic which benefits her and other island farmers is Signpost webinars run by Teagasc. “It’s difficult for me to get to training courses on the mainland. If there’s an evening course, I have to stay in a mainland B&B overnight and with ferry schedules I could be away for up to 24 hours and that’s not possible with livestock. Now with the Signpost webinars, I can sit with my laptop at my kitchen table.” Overall Fiona enjoys life as an island farmer. “I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else in Ireland, you either love it or you leave.” There is one benefit though she says, “if your animals break out of your farm, there’s a 9 mile moat that stops them actually leaving the island!

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 SPONSORED ARTICLE SPONSORED ARTICLE

Bank Ireland’s Enviroflex loans supporting Bank ofofIreland welcomes latest TAMS 3 announcement • TAMS announcement further cashflow in times of low milk prices emphasises importance of farm

JOHN Fitzgerald, Bank of nessed ever-increasing in(since January 2023), they €120,000 or where security sustainability Ireland’s Agricultural Develterest in Enviroflex over the can apply to Bank of Ireland is required, a term of up to • Bank of Ireland Enviroflex loans opment Manager based in since it first launched, with for an Enviroflex loan. Once 15 years is available. Standnow available over dairy€80m in loan applicaMunster, explainsto how an70% En- ofover part of a co-op sustainabilard Bank of Ireland lending farmers viroflex loan can help farmers tions received to date. The ity scheme and repayment terms and conditions apply. • Farm incomes expected to rise in with cashflow concerns in average loan size is €55,000, capacity is evident, Bank of For further information 2025 as global agricultural markets 2026. with the loans ranging in size Ireland will examine suitabil- contact your Co-op RepreAcknowledging the signif- from €10,000 to €500,000. ity to “retro finance” these sentative or your dedicated stabilise icant reduction in milk prices Farmers are using the loans investments already in place. Bank of Ireland adviser via March Bank ofofIreland has over the2025: past number for a range of purposes from the details in the footer. welcomed the recent Department months, Bank of Ireland reinstalling solar panels to add- On-farm examples: of Agriculture thatadditional slurry storage, • Patrick invested €80,000 mains supportiveannouncement of farmers ing themay latest tranchebe ofexperithe Targeted who currently with many taking advantage of his own funds to extend encing cashflow concerns. Scheme of the current TAMS (Target- a calf shed in 2021. He can Agriculture Modernisation Enviroflex sustainabilied Agricultural Modernisanow apply for an €80,000 (TAMS 3) is now open for applications, ty-linked loans are60% a key partaidtion Enviroflex loan to retrospecincluding a new grant for Scheme) supports. ofnutrient Bank of storage Ireland’sinvestments. range of tively fund the calf shed over latest TAMS development is to be very first time, whilsta the loans can Agri supports, and are avail- How Enviroflex supports 4 year period. able to all dairy farmers who farm cashflow • Maryenergy invested €50,000 of welcomed. be used to fund renewable highlights the importance of are part of a co-op sustainOver the projects, past couple of herenhancing own funds to buildAs adthe leading agri-lender, Bank sustainability-linked measures beingthanks to solidsustainability ability scheme. Enviroflex years, profitditional slurry storage. She of Ireland’s aim with Enviroflex is to measures such as forestry/tree taken on farms nationwide. loans reward farmers who ability and planting, strong cashflows, can now apply for a €50,000 make it available to as many farmers biodiversity projects, and Bank of sustainable Ireland’s own implement ac-Enviroflex many dairy farmers have Enviroflex loan to retrospecas possible and reward farmers who ACRES projects. Farmers should loans sustainable tions onprovide their farms throughfinance been investing on their farms tively fund the slurry storage implement more sustainable farming note however, that the loans are not solutions that are rates. carefully designed discounted interest using their own funds to over a 5 year period practises available for land purchases. When adopt meas- changes. purchase machinery, build • John invested €30,000 of with discounted finance to helpfarmers make real, impactful options.’ uresEnviroflex on their farms sheds,to addJohn additional slurryAgrihis own funds upgrading wa- John Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, Development loansthat are now available reduce theirof environmenstorage silageBank pits. of Ireland ter /roadways. He can now Agri. Development Manager Manager, said: over 95% dairy farmers across ten or new (087) 7696510 talCo-ops footprint (i.e. reducing apply for alatest €30,000 Envirofnew recognises Minister for Agriculture’s nationwide and can beBank usedofinIreland E: john.fitzgerald2@boi.com greenhouse gas emissions, these lexisloan to retrospectively TAMSof announcement a boost for a multitude of ways including:that the lifespan improving biodiversity, water investments can range over a fund this work over a 2-3 the agriculture sector, providing • Funding the construction or quality and animal welfare), year in length, and are ofyear period. farmers with more finance options renovation of farm they can avail of the lowerbuildings ten suited to financing over The current* Enviroflex to invest in nutrient storage on their • Creating additional slurry storage rate loan. Recognising filonger terms. rate is 4.49% (variable), with farms to create additional storage • Purchasing machinery & Apply online at: nancial sustainability, a key Where farmers are expea minimum loan amount of featureequipment of Enviroflex is that it riencing, orcapacity. are expecting €10,000. The loan term is up Enviroflex - Bank of Ireland Farm incomes of Ireland has recently canBank be used to provide cash- cashflow tightness during were toimpacted 7 years ifin the loan is unse- Business Banking or enquire at your local Bank of Ireland 2024ofdue to challenging weather flow support during periods 2026 as a result investcured. Bank of Ireland also launched a new Enviroflex branch. ofpartnership low milk prices. funds onproviding the offers unsecured loans upFitzgerald conditions, numerous with Irish Distillersing to their offerown John Bank Ireland has witover the past 3with years to €120,000. For loans farmers cashflow issues, so this Agriover Manager Munster, Bank of Ireland theseofloans to tillage farmers farm for the *= Rate correct as of 05/02/2026

Bank of Ireland Managing your finance better!

Talk to the local experts Maire McCarthy Manager Clonakilty Skibbereen and Bandon E: Maire.McCarthy@boi.com P: 087 2354353

Michael Deasy

Niall Connor

Manager - Bank of Ireland Business Banking, Cork County South Main St., Bandon, Co. Cork E: Niall.Connor@boi.com P: 086 1709048

Business Adviser Clonakilty Skibbereen E: michael_j.deasy@boi.com P: 087 0957581

Mark Knowles

Business Adviser Bandon and Clonakilty E: mark.knowles@boi.com P: 087 6410292

Things you may not know about TAMS

The Southern Star | 11

The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) has a lot more to offer than many realise, writes Emma Connolly SOME farmers are not fully aware of what is involved in TAMS, while others assume the process is too complicated and avoid applying altogether which means they’re missing out on an array of payments that would ultimately make their farms safer and more efficient places. That’s according to Danielle Burke, Teagasc’s specialised scheme adviser who is urging West Cork farmers who are unsure about any aspect of TAMS, to contact their local agricultural adviser to confirm what they are eligible for and to be guided through the process. ‘The scheme operates through both an application stage and a claim stage, and each step requires different supporting documents depending on the type of investment being applied for. Many farmers are surprised to learn that there are smaller, straightforward investments that require far less paperwork compared with larger, well-known investments such as agricultural buildings. Getting proper advice can make the process far clearer and ensure farmers do not miss out on valuable supports,’ explained Danielle. She’s keen to highlight a key sub-scheme under TAMS that all farmers should be aware of which is the Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme where funds are available for everything from a leg hoist to replacement slats. ‘What’s worth noting is that this provides a 60% grant rate for all eligible applicants, regardless of age, and another notable advantage is that this is currently the only scheme with a 100% approval rate, provided the application and claim are completed correctly,’ said Danielle. ‘The purpose of this scheme is to

support investment in infrastructure and equipment that improves overall farmyard safety. The range of eligible items is broad, covering smaller safety equipment such as head scoops and leg hoists, right up to larger structural investments like replacing damaged slats or installing a new cattle crush. Every farm has areas that pose potential safety risks, and this scheme helps farmers address those issues in a financially manageable way, improving both safety and labour efficiency without excessive cost,’ said Danielle. ‘This makes it a particularly valuable opportunity for farmers looking to upgrade or replace equipment that could prevent accidents and improve day-to-day operations. ‘There is a wide range of investments available to farmers under the Farm Safety Investments Scheme. These include smaller mobile items such as head scoops, leg hoists, cattle weighing scales, electronic tag readers, and calving/dehorning crates, as well as larger fixed investments like cattle crushes, aeration systems, replacement of damaged slats, and the replacement of hinged or sheeted gates with new sliding or roller doors on agricultural buildings,’ said Danielle. Each investment item is assigned its own reference cost by the Department (excluding VAT). For example: head scoop – €455.46; leg hoist – €318.78 and cattle weighing scales – €1,517.97. These reference costs determine the grant amount payable, rather than the farmer’s actual purchase price, but if the farmer’s costings comes in lower (very seldomly it does) then the department will pay on the lower amount.

Also worth noting is that applicants should be aware that a minimum investment of €2,000 must be included in each application; anything below this threshold will be rejected. ‘Farmers should also familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions, scheme specifications, and the different grant rates that apply to various investment categories. There is technically no upper limit on how much you can apply for, but there is a ceiling on the amount that will be grant-aided. ‘ For individual farmers, the maximum eligible ceiling is €90,000 per holding, while registered farm partnerships can access a higher ceiling of €160,000. It is strongly recommended that farmers consider applying for mobile investments such as head scoops, leg hoists, weighing scales, and bale shears. For those willing to invest larger sums, items like replacement of damaged slats, or upgrading hinged or sheeted doors to roller or sliding doors, are worthwhile options. These are the kinds of investments that many farms either lack or delay replacing, yet they can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury in the future. With a 60% grant rate now available, it is an ideal time to apply or at least discuss the options with your agricultural adviser to see what investments best suit your farm,’ concluded Danielle. • Full details of the Department’s reference costings for all eligible investments can be found on the TAMS 3 section of the Department’s website, or by contacting your agricultural advisor, who can guide you through the options most relevant to your farm.

WHAT IS TAMS? TAMS, or the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, is a Department-funded grant programme designed to help farmers upgrade and modernise infrastructure and equipment, improving both efficiency and overall farm safety. The current programme, TAMS 3, runs from 2023 to 2027 and is made up of several sub-schemes offering grant aid ranging from 40% to 60, depending on the specific scheme and investment type. Most applicants are subject to a €90,000 ceiling per holding, while registered farm partnerships benefit from a higher ceiling of €160,000. All applications are submitted in tranches through the Department’s online system, AgFood, which manages both the application and approval process. The scheme operates through both an application stage and a claim stage, and each step requires different supporting documents depending on the type of investment being applied for. There are different tranches throughout the year- March 6 (Tranche 11), June 5 (Tranche 12), September 4 (Tranche 13), and December 4 (Tranche 14). Applications won’t be looked at by the department until after the tranche closing date and applications can be put in any time during the tranche and typically reopen the day after the tranche deadline.

What West Cork farmers say about TAMS and its beneﬁts: ‘If there’s a grant going, you’d be mad not to make use of it before it’s gone.’

‘Improving safety isn’t just for yourself; it’s for the next generation coming after you.’

‘You have to keep investing in the farm — if you’re not moving forward, you’re slipping backwards.’

‘Anything that makes the work easier and safer is worth looking at.

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

ACCOUNTANCY | PLANNING | ADVICE

More than tax. Ifac work with farmers to plan for their future, from business structure to college fees, succession and retirement.

50 years advising farmers, call us today on 023 8841785 or visit ifac.ie 12

The Southern Star | 13

Clockwise from top: Eddie O’Neill, Ballinadee, ploughing with a 1967 David Brown 1200 tractor and three-furrow plough at the recent De Courcey Classic and Vintage Club members’ tillage day in Garrettstown; Robert Shorten (Ballinspittle) with a BMC Mini tractor which his father bought new in 1968 at the De Courcey Classic and Vintage Club tillage day; Liz Quinn, Ballinspittle and Evelyn Draper, Kilbrittain enjoying the tillage day in Garrettstown. (Photos: David Patterson) 13

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 19

SPONSORED ARTICLE SPONSORED ARTICLE

2023

Dairypower Equipment Celebrates 50 Ratchet Years Dairypower:Leading Making work life more efficient for farmers Dairypower: the way with Pro-Clean Scraper of Innovation in Slurry Management AT Dairpower, we didn’t just extreme weather. features that make a new slatted tank improve slurry scraping—we • Heavy-Duty Construction: which will be covered them the safest invented the systems that revoluUtilising a quarto-folded and by has a new shed and most rail troubleDAIRYPOWER Equipment, tem proven to in bethe the Dairypower. ‘The continued tionised it. a heavy-duty blade, the system is safest, next most few years. This free system in the a leading family-owned cost-effective, success of our business is a Forspecialising decades, Dairypower built for longevity. business in willenvironmentally provide extrafriend- testament to the unwaverworld. This robust, and slurry management lywinter solution, ensuringand slurry ing support of our dealers housing animal-friendly Equipment hassolubeen at the fore• Safety-First Design: A low-proFor more information tions, proudly celebrates its , evolving remains in a homogenous, slurry storage on the and customers who have system can be front of slurry solutions file aesthetic minimizes livestock about Dairypower and 50th anniversary this year. pumpable ready Courtneystate, farm. Thisfor been with us throughout easily installed from an industry player into the injury risks, while electrical comits innovative slurry Since its establishment in spreading. this incredible journey. We system was introduced to the with no premanagement solutions, pioneer that effectively "inventponents are strategically posi1973 by John O’ Donovan, grateful for their trust Irish market in 1998 andare is now installation work Expanding please visit www.dairyed" the systems that have revolutioned above the slurry line to the company has continuand are excited to continaOperating market leader with over 4,000 and all electrical and manufacpower.ie. The Courtney family have been management. ensure longevity.are kept away allytionised strived toslurry develop and ue working together for systems parts overhead turing from in itsoperation headquar- throughout farming in Castlehaven since manufacture another 50 years.’ Today, high-quality the company’s Pro-Clean from Thethe system has also been uptheinworld. slurry. The heavy-duty ters Cork, Dairypower the early 1800s and currently products for Scraper slurry manageRatchet System stands dated with a new lightning safety has expanded its operascraper blade and quattro-folded areinmilking 100 Friesian spring ment farming. Fergus’s motto is: keep things rail is in hot-dip galvanised as a livestock trusted testament to that reset the electrical box,with add-a tions in 2020 by adding a calving cows. simple with complications low an and smooth which is Origins Dairypower UK less distribution legacy, offering farmers across ing extra layerprofile, of protection and the Dairypower Smart designed to prevent any injuries Originally focused on centre in Fishguard, Wales Fergus installed Dairypower 40 countries a blend of safety, against the elements. Aeration System allows to the animals. A patented milking machines, Dairycatering to the growing Pro-Clean Scrapers in 2005. sustainability, and unparalleled Beyond the mechanical benethat. Itfor is aitscost effective Rope Scrapertongue system, double spring-loaded power made a grounddemand products These scrapers have many unique fits, Fergus’s wife Yvette completes efficiency. thethe Pro-Clean system proand environmentally friendly capable of cleaning up breaking leap in 1985 with across the Irish Sea. As the keeps rail clean, preventing grass measuring and budgeting For West Cork vides Passageways" methodembarks of keeping to 200 in length the introduction of the dairy farmer on itsslurry in a slurry "Pristine building upmeters and allows the company once a week and they have We are to to homogeneous pumpable state on John McCarthy, the decision to thrilled through fulland automation. Farmers incorporating a hydraulic Ratchet Scrapnext half-century, they are scraper operate in extreme noticed far better lush covers his farm. Double-Winch system and to er system, which quickly looking forward to moving stick with Dairypower wasn't a customise cleaning times celebrate 50 can years weather conditions. which results from consistent high streamline operations. became a market into their new state-ofdifficult one. leadJohn is currently via integrated timer of innovationfrequencies and nutrient slurry spread at the right Having slurry on demand means The Pro-Clean Scraper er. utilising Garneringhis immense the-art manufacturing and NewRatchet Systems second generation of settings, allowing the machinery time. growth in the he can easily plan where and has been successfully installed success in the Irish market, distribution Cork headIn 1998, Dairypower the Pro-Clean system. to work around their specific when he can spread a few loads slurry management in dairy, beef and pig units and John and his son Pat O’ quarters, currently being revolutionised the industry Contact us which provides Donovan, the managing renovated, in 2023.more available is also usedonce in other industry. schedule. again industrial with the introslurry capacity and therefore the "I can time the scraper to be director, expanded their ‘We are thrilled to projects. CONTACT US duction of the Smart-Slurry • info@dairypower.com tank is seldom reach by attending trade 50 years full. of used when Aeration I feel best for to me," system the Irish celebrate Dairypower Equipment, Infurther 2021 Fergus installed the more shows throughout Europe, 2010, Dairypower John noted. "This gives me market. Collaborating with innovation and growth in Templemichael, Whites Cross, Over the last few years, slurry has • Templemichael, Dairypower Smart Aeration establishing a robust dealer enhanced its Scraper the slurry management range renowned research farms time to concentrate on other White’s Co. Cork, become very valuable and Fergus Co. CorkCross, T23 T992 System on such an existing open slurry industry,’ said Pat O’ Dononetwork spanning over 40+ with the development ofTime as the Dairy Campus jobs... is valuable in modT23 T992 wants to get the most out of it. • info@dairypower.com tank and isincurrently addingthis on sys- van, Managing Director of countries worldwide. In the innovative Eco-Clean the Netherlands, ern-day farming with so many jobs to be done, so this system helps in this aspect." In an era where energy costs are a constant concern, the Pro-Clean system is recognized for its low energy consumption and ease of

‘

’

Scrapers for Dairy, Beef, Pig & Poultry

Slurry Management for Dairy, Beef & Pig

• Trouble-free cleaning... patented double springloaded tongue, which keeps the track clean

"For pure reliability, value for • Keeps slurry in a homogeneous pumpable state money, and a quality slurry scrap• Perfect foryears, concrete tanks, under-slat storage, er which lasts for I automatround tanks lined lagoons ically installed a new&Dairypower Pro •Ratchet Scraper after being Low-operating costs with minimal maintenance very•pleased with my first," McIncreases in Ammonia Nitrogen up to 70% Carthy shared. • sentiment Increasesisin Total Nitrogen His echoed by Bri- & Potassium by up to 48% • Eliminates the build-up an Aherne, Dairypower’s Nationalof dangerous gases whilst reducingwho methane & ammonia emissions Sales Manager, highlights the •system as the "safest and installation. However, Consistent nutrients throughout the entire tank for many most trouble-free solution" for farmers, the technology is only as • Reduces fertiliser & fuel costs automated scraping on dairy, good as the support behind it. • and Increases grass/crop yields "From an after-service point beef, pig farms. What sets the Pro-Clean system of view, Dairypower have been apart is its robust engineering, outstanding," McCarthy concluddesigned to withstand the condied. "Breakdowns are very rare, tions of a working farm. but with its modern aspects and cow-friendly features, its a scraper Key technical features include: you can trust." • Patented Double For more information on the Spring-Loaded Tongue: This Pro-Clean Ratchet Scraper Sysinnovation keeps the rail clean, tem, Dairypower Equipment can preventing the common issue of be reached at their headquarters T | 021 4383100 slurry build-up and ensuring the in Templemichael, Whites Cross, www.dairypower.com system operates smoothly even in Co. Cork.

• Fully galvanised system with double-strength, quarto-folded rail • Internal & External Ram options available

• Can Clean Passages up to 200 metres long • All components are built to last inc. fully galvanised frame • Choice of STS® rope or stainless steel cable • Unique Double-Winch Option

Fully automated via easy-to-use digital control panel Long lasting, heavy-duty, galvanised steel scraper blades Scraper blades to suit all types of passageways Animal friendly design with built-in safety features Efficient and effective cleaning

T | 021 4383100 www.dairypower.com

The Southern Star | 15

Brendan Marshall, Carrigaline second from left, with Pio Lane, Jim O’Sullivan and Barry O’Driscoll of Ahiohill Vintage Club enjoying the recent Ahiohill Tractor, Truck, Car and Bike Run. Proceeds of the run go to West Cork Rapid Response and BEDA Station House Restoration Fund. Below left: Peter and Noah Shanahan, Rosscarbery enjoying their day at the Ahiohill Tractor, Truck, Car and Bike Run. Below right: Kate Donegan, Ahiohill and Daire Mulvey, Dunmanway in a Fendt 313 at the Ahiohill event. (Photos: David Patterson)

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Ireland’s most reliable heat detection system

Contact 066 971 3000 Durable, by design

TAMS eligible - scan here for quotation

3.26

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Helping you get the Job Done!

SKIBBEREEN 21066 SKIBBEREEN 028 028 21066 EACH FRIDAY: Cattle Sale Ring 1 at 10.30am EACH FRIDAY: Cattle Sale Ring 1 at 10.30am commencing with Dry Cows. commencing with Dry Cows. Calf Sale Ring 2 at 10am CalfFollow Sale Ring 2 at 10am Intake open 7am. the sale on Marteye App.

Intake open 7am. Follow the sale on Marteye App.

BANDON 023 8841151

EACH MONDAY: Cattle & Calf Sale EACH & Calf Sale CALF SALE at MONDAY: 10am. Cattle Intake open from 6am SALE at 10am. Intake openopen from 6am CATTLECALF SALE at 10.30am. Intake from 8am Follow theatsale on Marteye CATTLE SALE 10.30am. Intake openApp. from 8am

Follow the sale onCALF MarteyeSALE App. EVERY ADDITIONAL WEEKLY THURSDAY (During Peak Season) ADDITIONAL WEEKLY CALF SALE EVERY Sale atTHURSDAY 12 noon. Intake open from 9am (During Peak Season) Sellers Sale canatPre enter Calves prior to Sale 12 noon. Intake open from 9am Contact Sean 0878103406/ Mart Office to enter Sellers can Pre enter Calves prior to Sale

Aberdeen Angus Club  Munster Contact Sean 0878103406/ MartBreeders Office to enter Show & Sale of Ped AA Bulls Wednesday 1 ST April  Munster Aberdeen Breeders Club Sale: 12 noon. Entry Forms Angus now available Mart Office Show & Sale of AA Bulls Wednesday 1ST April Entries byPed Thursday 19th March

Sale: 12 noon. Entry Forms now available Mart Office

 The Irish Hereford Society Ltd Annual Show EntriesBreed by Thursday 19th March & Sale of Pedigree HE Bulls Wed Evening 22nd April The Irish Hereford Society Ltd Annual Shownow Show at 6.30pm. SaleBreed at 7.30pm. Entry Forms nd available Mart Office.HE Entries by Evening Thursday April & Sale of Pedigree Bulls Wed 22nd 2 April

Show at 6.30pm. Sale at 7.30pm. Entry Forms now MACROOM 026 41121 available Mart Office. Entries by Thursday 2nd April

EACH SATURDAY: GENERAL CATTLE SALE Main Ring: 10.30am Dry Cows followed by Bulls, Bullocks, Weanlings andCATTLE Heifers EACH SATURDAY: GENERAL SALE  FACTORY SHEEP ASSEMBLY Ring Office for details

MACROOM 026 41121

Main Ring: 10.30am Dry Cows followed by Bulls,

st NEXT SHEEP SALE WED 1and APRIL Bullocks, Weanlings Heifers at 11.30am All Stock to be penned FACTORY SHEEP ASSEMBLY for Ring10.30am Office for details

MULTI BREED BULL SALE 7TH APR at 7pm NEXT SHEEP SALE WED TUES 1st APRIL at 11.30am (Entries being All Stock tonow be penned fortaken) 10.30am Licence No 002369

Kerosene• MGO & Sulphur free diesel • Auto Diesel at our pumps located in Skibbereen Cork Rd Clonakilty Western Rd (open 24 hours) Easy to use Fob Stay Systemcomfy available this winter Get your home heating oil today!

SOUTHSOUTH OF OF IRELAND IRELAND Petroleum West Petroleum WestCork Cork

‘Your local oil company’ Supplying Auto diesel, kerosene, lubricant oil, Call us now, we would be delighted hearour from you! green diesel & sulphur free dieselto to West Cork customers over 70• years. 023 8833251for • 028 21024 027 51188 Clonakilty

Clonakilty 023 8833251

Skibbereen 028 21024

Skibbereen

Bantry

Bantry 027 51188

Use our NEW AdBlue pump now available in Skibbereen depot

MULTI BREED BULL SALE TUES 7TH APR at 7pm (Entries now being taken) Licence No 002369

An innovation in Teatcare, based on the combined properties of

An innovation in Teatcare, based on the combined properties of Citrus based Polyphenols & Glycolic Acid. Citrus based Polyphenols & Glycolic Acid. The disinfectant action of Glycolic Acid in conjunction Twhiet hd C i siitnr fuesc tbaans te da cPt oi ol ynp oh fe nGol lysc oa lcitc rAa cp ii dd l iyn tcoo dn ij suinncf teicotn the teat. wE ixtche lCl ei tnr tu st ebaat s ce od nPd oi tl iyopnh. e n o l s a c t r a p i d l y t o d i s i n f e c t tFhoer m t eual ta. t i o n i s s a f e f o r t h e m i l k e r & d a i r y c o w d u e t o Et xh cee ul lneinqtu tee faot r cmounl d i onn b . ased on low hazard ingredients. a ti ti o FGorreme un l ac toi loonu ri sg si va ef es ef ox rc et lhl e nm o awt sd. u e t o t ivl ki sei rb i&l i tdya iorny Tc e

the unique formulation based on low hazard ingredients. Green colour gives excellent visibility on Teats.

NUVOSAN – TeatGard is suitable for use in Pre & Post Milking Teat Care Applications. Suitable for application by Spraying, Dipping or Foaming.

TAR AD 26.3.26 NUVOSAN – TeatGard is suitable for use in Pre & Post Milking Teat Care Applications. Contact Biocel Ltd @ 021 4353516 or info@biocel.ie Suitable for application by Spraying, Dipping or Foaming. Winner of The Scientific Innovation Award to find out more. @ The National Dairy Show 2024 and finalist in The Biocel Ltd. - Rockgrove, Little Island, Cork, Ireland. Tel: 021-4353516 web: www.biocel.ie Innovation Awards at The Ploughing Championships 2025 Contact Biocel Ltd @ 021 4353516 or info@biocel.ie to find out more. Biocel Ltd. - Rockgrove, Little Island, Cork, Ireland. Tel: 021-4353516 web: www.biocel.ie

Winner of The Scientific Innovation Award @ The National Dairy Show 2024 and finalist in The 17 Innovation Awards at The Ploughing Championships 2025

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Confident in the future of West Cork’s agriculture

Seamus Daly, CEO of Drinagh Co-operative spoke to Emma Connolly recently THE current milk price, rising cost of farm inputs caused by the war in the Middle East and the threat of bluetongue virus, are the three main challenges currently facing West Cork dairy farmers. From a longer-term perspective, generational renewal and retaining the nitrates derogation are the two most significant concerns for the industry. That’s according to Drinagh Co-Op’s CEO Seamus Daly, who is advising all farmers in the region to consult with their vet regarding the threat of the bluetongue virus which was detected in the south-east of the country in late 2025. He encourages all farmers to consider vaccination to mitigate against the effects of the disease before the high-risk late spring, summer and early autumn season. ‘It’s spread by biting midges that are active when the temperature is above 12 degrees Celsius. While vaccination does not completely prevent infection, it significantly reduces clinical signs. Given the predominantly spring calving system in our area, any disruption to herd fertility would have a serious financial knock-on effect to milk suppliers. The vaccination cost is approximately €10 per animal, where two shots are administered three weeks apart. Now is the appropriate time for vaccination which is six weeks before the beginning of the high-risk season in May,’ he said.

Middle East conﬂict

The war in the Middle East has introduced further volatility for all businesses, including farmers and co-ops themselves, said Seamus. ‘We had successfully secured fertiliser for our customers prior to the war breaking out, but prices have risen sharply since the escalation of the conflict. ‘With a fleet of 40 trucks, our fuel expenditure has increased significantly since the war began. We have avoided immediate price hikes for deliveries to our customers, but a prolonged conflict will necessitate a re-evaluation of our pricing structures.’

Derogation

The future of dairy farming in the area is intrinsically linked to the continuation of the nitrates derogation. Seamus feels that farmers need more regulatory certainty to allow for long-term investment, particularly in slurry storage. ‘The retention of the derogation is dependent on improvements in water quality. Our suppliers have shown great commitment through programmes like ASSAP, which has improved water quality and will continue to do so going forward’. Seamus acknowledged that the administration side of farming is getting more demanding: ‘The older generation of farmers in particular can find the paperwork overwhelming. The market demands food produced in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Our agri-advisory team is here to assist farmers with the documentation and compliance necessary to meet these environmental standards.’

‘The war in the Middle East has introduced further volatility for all businesses, including farmers and co-ops themselves’

Milk prices

The current base milk price in the high 30s represents a marked decline from a price in the low 50s recorded in early 2025. ‘Dairy markets operate on a fine margin and any imbalance in supply or demand will affect prices. Last year we had over-supply in all the major milk producing areas in the world which resulted in a decline in world dairy market prices. Supply has remained strong in all areas for the first quarter of 2026 and it will be the second half of the year before we expect to see a correction in production,’ said Seamus. Despite these pressures, the markets have started to stabilise. ‘Buyers see value in the market at the current low prices, and with a fear of security of supply due to the war in the Middle East, they are back in the market,’ he added. To offset the current challenges in the market, Carbery will use its stability fund to support milk price during the year. ‘Cashflow is always an issue for farmers in the first half of the year due to input costs preceding peak milk supply. Drinagh Co-Op is committed to supporting its farmers with credit during these months. The co-operative ethos is built on mutual support. We provide essential credit facilities and farmers have access to our agri-advisory team to assist in managing financial and operational difficulties’.

Succession

Addressing the long-term viability of the sector, Seamus identifies succession as ‘a critical priority.’ ‘Young people have many different work opportunities and work-life balance is very important for them. This year we have three new milk suppliers, two farmers working on green-field sites and a third who has taken over a herd from a retiring farmer. We expect to lose around 10 suppliers this year for a variety of reasons including the absence of a successor. ‘In the past, the remaining suppliers through expansion have compensated for the retiring suppliers. We reached our peak milk supply to date in 2021. Since then milk supply has contracted until last year when milk supply again increased substantially due to the strong milk price in the first half of 2025 and favourable grass growing weather. The early signs for 2026 are promising with milk volumes and milk solids both up in comparison to last year.’ To address the concerns around succession, Carbery 19

Seamus Daly has been Chief Executive of Drinagh Co-op since January 2021. After graduating from University College Dublin, he joined the society in 1989 as an agri-adviser. He was appointed mill manager in 1996 and appointed dairy manager in 2000. A native of Drimoleague, he grew up just two miles from the co-op headquarters and farming is in his DNA. His father was a Drinagh Co-op supplier, and his brother is a current supplier. ‘I have been involved in farming in the local community all my life,’ he said. Living in Bandon, he’s married to Anna Marie, from Aughadown and they are parents to three adult children. is currently formulating a five-year generational renewal strategy. The initiative will include a full-time resource dedicated to generational renewal on the ground, available to the four co-ops. This resource in conjunction with the co-ops will advise on different farm structures available to young people including shared farming, farm partnerships, land leases etc. ‘Young farmers need guidance during their formative years and the co-op is uniquely positioned to provide that mentorship.’ he said.

Long term

To conclude, the future looks positive in the main, Seamus said. ‘Global population growth continues to drive demand for sustainably produced food. With our grass-based production system in West Cork combined with the diversity of dairy and nutritional products produced by Carbery, I am confident in a sustainable and prosperous future for the Drinagh Co-Op community.’

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Back in the day A nostalgic look back at agricultural life in West Cork over the years

Clockwise from top: William Wolfe, Ringenane, Belgooly, with his prize Aberdeen Angus Bull at Kinsale Agricultural Show 6th July 1911. (Photo courtesy of Conor Howe) Colum Cronin took this photo during the making of the film Broken Harvest in Castletownkinneigh during the summer of 1994. From left: Charlie Dullea, Pat Murphy, Billy Cotter (all three deceased, RIP) and Noel Crowley (with his back to camera).The film was set in 1950s Ireland, written and directed by Maurice O’Callaghan, produced by Jerry O’Callaghan, and involved great numbers of locals. Photographer Colum Cronin also recorded the music for the soundtrack in his studio. Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Conference, Burlington Hotel Dublin, November 1982. From left: Pat O’Donovan, Drinagh Co-op; Dan Buckley, Barryroe Co-op; Jerome Geaney, Drinagh Co-op; Brian Linehan TD, Minister for Agriculture; Paddy O’Brien Drinagh Co-op and Pat Joe McCarthy, Drinagh Co-op. (Photo courtesy of Adrian Healy) Edith Somerville, Castletownshend of Somerville & Ross – authors of The Irish RM (seated) at Clonakilty Show 1937 with Lady HA Coghill (left) and Miss S Warren (right). (Photo courtesy of James Herrick) 20

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Clockwise from top: Threshing at Ballinreeshig, Co Cork in the 1930s. The steam engine was owned by Patrick Browne, seen standing on engine at rear. (Photo courtesy of Fergal Browne) Threshing Day in Cronin’s Munigave, Coppeen circa 1933. John P Crowley was the owner/operator of the steam engine and threshing machine. (Photo courtesy of Colum Cronin) An unidentified farmer and child transporting churns of milk via pony and cart in the Dunmanway area. This photo is taken from the Dunmanway heritage files and supplied courtesy of Tommy Collins and Sandra Maybury. If you think you know who the people in the photo are or if you have any further information about it, please contact Dunmanway Heritage Centre. See page 23 for more historical photos >> 21

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

West Cork’s leading provider of agricultural machinery

“We strive to provide customers with a broad selection of new and used equipment, parts and service with an emphasis on quality and dependability.”

The Lilac, ac Enniskeane, Cork, k, Ireland eland www.lynchmccarthy.ie h - 023 88 22621 22

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

A large group on a Drinagh Co-op social outing in 1958. Back row from left: Anne Connolly, Julie (surname not known), Danny O’Driscoll, Liam Hayes, Denny McCarthy, unknown, Hannah Quirke, boy on window unknown. Third row, from left: Pat J Harrington, Jack Healy, Jackie O’Brien, Tim Nyhan, Mickey (surname not known). Desmond Sweeney, Willie Forde, Joe O’Sullivan, John Hurley, Curley Collins, Jer McCarthy, Jerry O’Donoghue, Jim O’Donoghue, Jer Walsh. Second row, from left: Unknown, Denis O’Brien, Johnny O’Driscoll, Kevin Quirke, Bill Quirke, unknown, Denis O’Shea, Denis O’Donovan, Willie Young, Johnny Holland, Jerome Hurley, Jim Hurley, Francie Healy, Dan Connolly, Tom Lucey, Richie Levis, Tim McCarthy, unknown, Jimmy Dempsey, Dan J O’Leary, John Collins, Fenie O’Driscoll, Tommy Murray, John O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Keating, Mary Connolly, Mick Collins, Jim O’Regan. Front, from left: Francis Healy, Peggy Ryan, Theresa Sheehan, Kit Regan, Mary O’Driscoll, Hannie O’Shea, Eileen Holland, Alice Morgan, Abina O’Sullivan, Mary McCarthy, Jerry McCarthy. (Photo courtesy of Adrian Healy)

(Photo courtesy of Belgooly Show Committee)

Keen interest in sheep judging during a 1950s Belgooly Agricultural Show. 23

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 24 | The Southern Star

Managing cashflow properly is vital

Farms are busy places, with day-to-day matters requiring immediate attention. However, do not ignore the importance of budgeting to ensure availability of funds at leaner times

How to create a cashﬂow budget

FOR farms, just like any business, success hinges not only on productivity but on one other vital ingredient – cashflow. Misjudging this flow, even briefly, can lead to financial stress that could easily derail your operations, and that’s why planning your cashflow isn’t just a good idea, it’s essential. Regular monitoring of cashflow is a key driver behind profitability on farms, and being up to date with your farm’s financial position allows you to adapt and react to changes as they arise, whether it’s a change in milk price or rising costs, or unexpected expenses, and deal with them before they become crises. Start by building a budget that includes all expected income – grants, payments, sales – and compare that against your monthly outgoings, from loan repayments and tax to living costs. Reviewing past bank statements, invoices, and financial accounts is key to grounding your budget in reality, not just hopes. Equally important is looking ahead. A good cashflow plan isn’t just about covering next month, it should help set clear financial targets for the next five years. This means projecting future income, accounting for tax obligations, and ensuring you understand your break even point, minimum viable profit, what you need to meet your repayments, tax, and personal drawings. In a bumper year, big profits can lead to steep tax bills. Spreading payments or setting aside a percentage of profits throughout the year can ease the burden. Consider whether income averaging still suits you, and if not, speak to your accountant about options like opting out for a year. Finally, keep reviewing your plan monthly. This lets you spot problems early and adjust your strategy as needed. Treat it like a living document, one that evolves as your business grows and adapts. Managing cashflow may seem daunting, but with the right approach, it becomes a powerful tool to grow your business confidently and sustainably.

Step 1: Start with known receipts (money paid in)

They will be your Basic Payment Scheme, GLAS payment and ABC payments etc. There could be some variation as to when they come in, but, in most cases, it is best to put down when they were received into your accounts last year (check bank accounts/ payment statement dates). Top tip: it is best to underestimate production figures and other income expectation and over-estimate the farm expenses.

Step 2: Project your income

Dairy farmers should estimate the volume of milk they will sell, and the price received. Cattle farmers should draw up a selling plan for the year. This may change depending on prices, but it will allow you to make a start and review throughout the year. You know the stock numbers, so you need to estimate what month you plan on selling animals and how much you are going to get. Many farmers have other sources of income during the season and you should include this other farm income if it is likely to be there again for the forthcoming year eg sale of fodder, agri contracting, rental income etc. • Top tip: prepare three scenarios – best, actual, and stressed budget. Only put the absolute essentials in your stressed budget – this budget may not be sustainable for the long term, but it will help during times of tight cashflow.

Step 3: Work out your expenses (money paid out)

Use your last 2-3 years’ set of financial accounts to compare expenditure. When estimating your expenses, remember to allow for increased costs and adjust major costs like fertilizer or feed up or down.

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 Work through your costs systematically, examining each item of expenditure – it will take some time to complete, but it will be worth the effort to get it as accurate as possible. You need to include the payment in the months that the money will actually go out of the current account, not the month when the job or purchase was actually happened. For example, silage may be cut in May, but when do you usually pay the contractor? • Top tip: What signals or information is available on the marketplace that may help you with your predictions? Look out for commentary from press and other media sources. Try and forecast your income as best you can in your budget and then review, as necessary.

realised how much money was being spent during the year if all the money is spent from the one farm account.

Step 6: Act on the picture

With a full picture you now must act on what it spells out. The first question you need to ask is if you are going to breach your overdraft, even if for a short time? You need to ring the Bank, to either extend an overdraft or arrange a credit line. A credit line will be a cheaper option than trying to rely on merchant credit. Remember the more effort you put in to identifying the issues, the more effort the bank will put in to finding a solution. Cash Surplus: Ask yourself how you will use this surplus eg invest back in your farm, pay off debt or seek off-farm investment opportunities. These decisions should be made in line with your personal and business goals. Cash Deficit: Time to ask yourself some hard questions: What is the major issue on the farm? Low production figures resulting in low income; farm working expenses too high; or the financial structure and funding of the business, not right? Do I need to make major or minor changes to make this budget work?

Step 4: Use your bank statements as a guide

Use last year’s invoices/chequebook to guide you through the payments for the year, but consciously work out if it will be lower or higher this year. Look through your old bank statements or use online banking apps to help you identify any direct debits or standing orders you have going straight out of your accounts. This could be ESB, leasing and HP repayments, credit card, accountancy payments etc. Your old bank statement will identify loan repayments collected by financial institution. Update these repayments if you have taken out any new loans or a loan has been repaid. • Note: A common mistake that people make is that they will not have any unexpected capital expenditure allowed for in their budget, for example a tractor, repairs etc. Allow for unexpected items that must be replaced or repaired if they break down.

Step 7: Make it a habit

Once you have set up your cash flow budget, you should look at it at the end of each month. Planning and monitoring allow you to be more pro-active and less reactive - to concentrate more on addressing the root of the problem. It may be worthwhile to look back over your budgeting process; were your targets and forecasts for the year realistic? Were you conservative enough with your figures? Too conservative? When setting targets, base your figures on the last five years production or expenses, look at trends in your expenditure, talk to the experts and make sure the numbers look realistic.

Step 5: Include living expenses

• Estimate how much you will need to live and put this in as a monthly expense. Some farmers have a separate bank account from which they pay a sum for living expenses in each month. This helps them to budget as otherwise you may tend to underestimate what you are spending on the house. A lot of farmers get a shock when they see the drawings figure in the account at their review meeting as they may not have

• For more information contact IFAC on 023 884 1785 or visit www.ifac.ie

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

BLUETONGUE VIRUS TYPE 3 IN IRELAND Bluetongue Virus Type 3 (BTV3) Information for Dairy Farmers Bluetongue Virus Type 3 has been detected in Ireland and is expected to spread during 2026. The virus is transmitted by biting midges and is most active during warmer months when temperatures rise above 12°C, making late spring through autumn the higher risk period.

IS SPREAD 3 V

Clinical signs may include: - Drop in milk yield - Reproductive losses - Reduced appetite - Fever - Lethargy - Lesions - Sores - Reddening and ulcerations of nostrils, mouth and teats - Swelling of the face, lips and tongue - Lameness

TIN

E G MID G

Vaccination The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine advises farmers to consider vaccination as part of herd health planning ahead of the risk period. Vaccination helps reduce clinical signs and the level of virus circulating in animals, although it does not completely prevent infection. Vaccination involves two doses given three weeks apart, with immunity developing around three weeks after the second dose. Farmers are advised to speak with their veterinary practitioner about the most appropriate approach for their herd.

FOR FURTHER MORE INFORMATION on bluetongue virus scan the QR-code or visit; www.gov.ie/bluetongue

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Cultivate Credit Unions launch farming photography competition Prize of an Ireland’s Blue Book voucher worth €1,000 for the winning entry ONLINE entries are now open for the Cultivate Farming Photography Competition 2026, a nationwide initiative celebrating the richness of Irish farming landscapes and rural life. The competition, which runs from January to September 2026, invites entrants to photograph life on the farm across the seasons, reflecting the character of Ireland’s farming landscape and local beauty. The twelve best photographs submitted will be included in the 2027 Cultivate farming calendar, with one overall winner receiving a €1,000 Ireland’s Blue Book voucher as the winning prize. The competition is open to both members and non-members alike, and entries can be submitted online by visiting www.cultivate-cu.ie. Cultivate is the farmer-friendly finance option, available from three West Cork Credit Unions – Access, Bantry and Macroom – offering support to Irish farmers with tailored financial solutions. This competition forms part of a wider commitment to engage with local communities across the country. Finbarr O’Shea, who is a director of Cultivate nationally as well as Bantry Credit Union CEO, said: ‘We’re delighted to see this competition launch. It gives a great opportunity for engagement with the locality, and to showcase what life is like on an Irish farm. Whether that’s a photo of the weather, the landscape around you, or everyday jobs. It’s different for everyone and that’s part of the fun for those entering.’

Our Plant includes: ◊ ROLLERS ◊ DUMPERS ◊ EXAVATORS ◊ LIGHTING TOWERS ◊ TRACTOR TRAILERS ◊ ROAD SWEEPERS ◊ COLD MILLING MACHINES ◊ ALL PLANT AVAILABLE WITH / WITHOUT OPERATOR

Access Equipment Excavators Dumpers Rollers & Loaders

Other Services: ◊ ROAD PLANING ◊ CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS ◊ WASTE AND DEMOLITION REMOVAL ◊ RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL CONTRUCTION

GET YOUR GARDEN MACHINERY SERVICED EARLY DELIVERY & COLLECTION AVAILABLE

www.odplanthire.ie Martin: 087 770 9913 • Paul: 087 777 1306 info@odplanthire.ie Woodview, Castlefreke, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

✓ System Design and Recommendations ✓ Hassle Free SEAI Business and TAMS grant process ✓ Grid connection advice and application process ✓ Expert installation and full back-up service

“Choosing Solarwatt glass panels for a dairy farm means investing in equipment specifically built for harsh agricultural environment, where ammonia gases and salt air can’t penetrate the robust double -glass seal”

Trevor Draper Drimoleague

“Picking the right solar pv setup for a dairy farm isn't about finding the cheapest deal—it’s about choosing a hard-wearing system that can handle the ammonia, dust, and heavy motor surges of a working yard, ensuring your investment is still cutting your costs 30 years from now”

“The maths on solar was a no-brainer. Between the 60% TAMS grant and the immediate drop in my monthly bills, the system will have paid for itself in under three years. After that, I’ve free power on the farm, making it the fastest return on investment I’ve seen on this farm."

Adam Shorten Murragh

John Buttimer Enniskeane

localpower.ie

"A Fronius inverter for your dairy farm, doesn't just convert power, it actively manages your energy peaks to ensure every kilowatt from your roof is used to cool milk, heat hot water or run vacuum pumps before you ever have to buy from the grid."

Pat o Driscoll Coppeen

“With energy prices becoming unpredictable, with or without the Tams grant installing solar isn't just about going green— it's about fixing your overheads and insuring your farm against a volatile energy market.."

Michael Crowley Enniskeane

023 88 45420 29

Comfort in cabs Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

The John Deere SG2

With 2026 marking 50 years since the introduction of cab legislation in the UK that changed the industry, Peter O’ Brien reflects of four iconic 1980s cabs which were at their pinnacle at the end of that decade

Ford Super Q

THE progression of tractor cabs has been monumental over the past number of decades. It is hard to think that only 50 years ago, the vast majority of tractors were sold without a cab. In fact, the mandatory fitting of a roll bar to a new tractor was not introduced in the UK until 1970, which indirectly transferred to tractors sold to Ireland. Tractor drivers had no choice but to brave every element of the weather to complete the seasons work. When one reflects on the primitive cabs such as those fitted to the Ford 6Y and MF100 series, drivers must have been so grateful for to have a roof over their heads and protection from the wind. A far cry from the climate-controlled cab of the modern tractor, on tractors such as the MF100 series, MF red canvas could be fastened to the engine in an effort to funnel engine heat back to the driver to prevent him or her from freezing over. Tractor cabs significantly improved in the ‘70s due to the UK legislation for in cab noise levels coming into force on the 1st of June 1976. However, it was not until the early 1980s that some form of decent comfort was achieved for the operator. In fact, while 4wd, powershift gearboxes, and electronic controls were all incredible advances in tractor technology, none have had such a revolutionary impact on the operator as cab advancement.

Initially launched in 1976, the Ford ‘Q Cab’ (affectionately known as the bubble cab) was updated to the ‘Super Q’ in 1985. The sleek black cladding gave the cab a very modern look, with the optional digital dash boasting new levels of information technology. The roof skin boasted four forward work lights with two at the rear and was complete with a sunroof. A flat deck across all models, the signature split rear windscreen was carried forward from the Q Cab with the blue pin stripe Bostrum A 100/U-2 operators seat adding extra flair. The cab provides a high driving position with a commanding view, with the left hand tool box doubling up as a passenger seat, with even a foldable foot peg for the passenger’s feet. This iconic Ford cab was finally relieved from service in 1994.

John Deere SG2

The John Deere SoundGard (SG) cab was designed by engineer Chuck Pelly in the mid 70’s and was fitted to the larger American built 30 series. The cab later became available on the complete range of 40 series – evolving into the SG2– and the superseding 50 series, being finally retired in 1994. The single door, curved cab provides great levels of forward visibility, thanks to the offset doorframe, exhaust and air intake lining up providing only one obstruction to vision. The cab is quite snug and has a cockpit type feel. The red foot throttle is located under the brake pedals but all controls fall easily to hand, with great levels of steering wheel adjustment. Interestingly, the orange handled hand brake is located on the right side of the dash, pulled towards the operator to engage. The right hand side console houses gear levers, hydraulic and draft controls all within easy reach of the operator, while the huge rear window provides great vision. The cab was upgraded over its production run with extra work lights, easier access on later ‘wide-step’ models, and improved vison on the very late American made 55 series with the exhaust stack re-routed up the cab pillar. The cab could also be tilted sideways for servicing. 30

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Fiat SuperComfort

XL cab

Designed in conjunction with Porshe, International’s XL was released in 1981. The cab only had four pillars thanks to its cleverly designed rear window which wrapped around to the sides. The large XL cab has excellent forward visibility due to its full front windscreen, a flat floored cab, and boasted new levels of driver comfort. Wide opening side doors, with windows that could also be put ajar, along with a deluxe suspension seat added to driver comfort. However, the sunroofs on these cabs were prone to leaking. A pocket on the inside of the right door was also a useful attribute. The bright off cream cladding was replaced with black with the takeover of International by Case and the cab received many upgrades over its production life including a redesigned linkage and spool control box, and the relocation of all gearsticks to the right. The cab could also be tilted forward for servicing.

Launched in 1978, the SuperComfort cab was designed by Italian car stylist Pininfarina. Updated for the 90 series in 1984, the cab boasted a greater area of glass, particularly on the doors and side windows, to the previous 80 series range. Despite these large lay back doors (which have a nice feature of latching ajar), the actual foot entry area is quite narrow, yet the cab offers very good visibility, complete with sunroof for extra ventilation. The diesel tank is in a somewhat awkward position under the back window, however the angular styling of the cab gives the tractor a distinctive and iconic look. Draft and hydraulic controls fall nicely to hand along with the purposeful hand throttle, with the analogue dash easy to interpret. Cab rust was a major issue on earlier models which was somewhat rectified in the 90’s with the introduction of galvanised cabs. Although replaced by the Winner range in 1991, with the production of the 100-90 and 110-90 continuing to 2002, the SuperComfort cab remained in production for an incredible 24 years.

CRONIN’S HOMEVALUE HARDWARE BALLYLICKEY

YOUR WEST CORK STOCKIST FOR www.croninshardware.ie

Cronin’s Homevalue Hardware Ballylickey, Bantry, Co Cork • Call us today on 027 50106 • E:info@croninshardware.ie 31

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 SPONSORED ARTICLE

Select milk replacers carefully to ensure top calf development and growth MAXIMISING the potential of every animal starts with selecting a quality calf milk replacer (CMR) that includes a bespoke health package to suit the calves being fed. Una Hickey, Feed For Growth (Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited), National Sales Manager, says it’s ultimately about laying the foundations for success. “Investing in a high quality, precision formulated calf milk replacer will pay dividends in improved calf growth and better overall lifetime production,” she explains. “Not all calf milk replacers are created equal so it’s worth taking the time to understand what’s in the bag and whether the CMR you’re selecting is the best possible for your specific performance targets and farm challenges.”

Una Hickey, national sales manager with Feed For Growth, on farm discussing calf performance with Co. Tipperary farmer Michael Hackett.

highly digestible and deliver good performance. What is important to remember is that you can’t tell the quality of dairy proteins or manufacturing processes on the label, so always use a trusted brand and talk to the manufacturer.

2. Labels are not always clear Different types of whey vary in both protein and lactose content. For example, whey powder only contains 12.513% protein, compared to concentrated whey protein, which typically contains 35% protein. Consequently, it’s important to realise that any whey powder in a finished milk formula will not contribute the same level of dairy protein to a calf compared with one based on concentrated whey protein. Concentrated whey protein also contains valuable bioactive proteins including immunoglobulins and lactoferrin which are essential for calf growth and health. It pays to spend time considering your CMR choice and seeking the advice of experts, including your feed merchant advisor or nutritionist. If you would like some advice on different milk replacers suitable for your farm/feeding system, contact your local Feed For Growth business manager.

3) What health packages are included? Alongside the type of dairy protein included, it’s also Key areas to consider important to choose a CMR include: that includes an appropriate additional health package to 1. Skim and whey can both provide calves with an extra deliver boost and help meet your Well formulated, high qualrearing goals. ity CMR with either skim milk The hydrolysed yeast culture powder or concentrated whey Celmanax™ can help mitigate protein as the major source of the effects of a number of dairy protein, both deliver com- harmful pathogens. Calves supparable animal performance. If plemented with Celmanax™ the important milk components have been shown to shed three are processed correctly both times less crypto oocyst than skim and whey proteins will be those which are not, making it

Sharon O’Donoghue, business manager with Feed For Growth, measuring calf growth during a visit to Tommy Relihan’s farm in Adare, Co. Limerick an ideal helping hand for calves facing on-farm challenges which can’t be overcome by improvements in management. Incorporating a milk oligosaccharides – or natural milk sugar - can also positively influence the gut by feeding beneficial bacteria, helping to build a

healthy gut and immune system. It also positively influences the intestinal wall meaning the calf can absorb feed better and become more resilienta. A natural ingredient made from the resin of coniferous trees has also been found to supports the growth of benefi-

cial microbiota in the intestine, whilst improving intestinal integrity. These health ingredients all work alongside other well-known ingredients such as Butyrate and Gardion® which are used for their anti-inflammatory and pathogen inhibiting effects.

Milk protein impact on fertility & growth

Milk replacer gold standards

Trial work carried out at AFBI Hillsborough found that dairy heifers fed concentrated whey protein pre-weaning had better fertility and calved in earlier than those fed whey-powder based CMR. Heifers were monitored until their third calving. Heifers fed concentrated whey protein CMR preweaning: • Were five days younger than those fed whey powder based CMRs at first breeding. • Only required 1.4 services per heifer versus two services in the whey powder group. • Had a first conception rate of 60% versus 50% in the whey powder group. • Calved 22 days earlier with 80% of that group calving down by 24 months of age compared to 33% of the whey powderfed heifers.

The gold standard is to feed pre-weaned calves 50-57kg of a good quality CMR at: • 16-20% fat (anything over 20% fat can suppress starter intakes) • 23% protein (from quality skim or concentrate whey protein) is ideal for building lean muscle mass for dairy heifers • 900g of milk solids per day • In addition: • Provide palatable, fresh starter feed, water and chopped forage (3-4cm). • Consider incorporating a health package into a CMR to help support the gut – something that’s vital considering 70-80% of the body’s immune cells are in the gut.

For more information and advice, contact your local Feed For Growth (Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited) business managers. Visit the Ireland Team page at www.feedforgrowth.com/contact-us

Start strong, finish stronger 32

YOUR PARTNER FOR PERFORMANCE

Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Limited. Feagh, Mullagh, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland, A82 E7C5 T +353 (0) 469 212 906 · sales@feedforgrowth.com

The Southern Star | 33

Clockwise from top:| Four-year-old Caragh O’Driscoll From Ahiohill trying out a Fendt tractor wheel for size at the recent Ahiohill Vintage Club Tractor, Truck, Car and Motorbike Run in aid of West Cork Rapid Response. Grainne Hurley, Teagasc; Pauline O’Driscoll, Teagasc; Eoin Murphy, host farmer; Seamus Lordan, Teagasc; Liam Bohane, Carbery and Ian Lynch, Teagasc during a Teagasc Spring Grazing Walk on the farm of Eoin Murphy, Caheragh in February. Agri Aware hosted a Farm Walk & Talk at Darrara Agriculture College in Clonakilty, West Cork in early March. Transition, 5th and 6th class students from seven schools attended the event. Feeding a six-day-old lamb were Mary Hegarty and Carrie Harrington from Regina Mundi College, Douglas, Cork. (Photos: Andy Gibson) 33

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Ap en plicat for ion Sep s t ’2 6

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 Coppeen - 023 884 7005 Bantry - 027 30099 E: info@barrettagri.ie

www.barrettagri.ie

‘We’re for FARMERS’ • Animal Feeds, Minerals and Fertilizersistmas to all Happy Chr • Grass and Beet Seed • Winter/Spring Cereal Seed • Maize Crop Specialists • General Farm Hardware and Plastics 112 • Crop Chemicals and Crop Walking • Full Technical Backup Service • Solid Fuels and Bottled Gas

Contact your local store or rep for more information

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Lehane’s & Associates – Trusted Specialists in Farm Sales, Leasing and Farm Insurance FOR SA

Lot 2

FOR SA

Lot 1

For guidance purposes only

Budrimeen, Ballineen Circa 22.5 Acre Residential Farm

Derryclough, Drinagh Circa 38 Acre Non Residential Farm

Shrone, Rathmore, Co. Kerry 48 acres of forestry

Contact Daniel Lehane 023 8845481

Sackville House, Sackville Street, Dunmanway, Co.Cork Tel: (023) 8845481 | Email: property@lehanes.com • www.lehanes.com PSRA 001406

Buying calves this Spring? Check the CBV

The Commercial Beef Value (CBV) is a tool that gives farmers an insight into the genetic value of animals that are destined for beef production.

Higher CBV animals are more likely to: Produce heavier carcass weights Have a higher kill out percentage Be more feed and carbon efficient Meet factory specifications

The Southern Star | 37

Clockwise from main: Host farmer Eoin Murphy leads the attendees to the next ‘station’ during a Teagasc Spring Grazing Farm Walk held on his land in February. Topics discussed included selecting paddocks for early grazing, early nitrogen and slurry, grazing during difficult conditions and protecting water quality. Derek Lovell, Knockbrown, Trish O’Sullivan, Bandon Ploughing Association and Dan Crowley, Dunmore during Bandon Ploughing Association’s 81st annual ploughing match on the lands of Derek Lovell in early March. A large number of competitors took part after weeks of heavy rain forced postponements of matches. Enjoying the recent Ahiohill Vintage Club Tractor, Truck, Car and Motorbike Run were Saoirse O’Leary, Kilmichael and Michael Keohane, Rossmore. (Photos: Andy Gibson and Denis Boyle) 37

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

A meeting place

There’s more to the mart than buying and selling livestock, writes Sally Collins SKIBBEREEN Mart has been a stronghold of agricultural life in West Cork for nearly 70 years. Generations of farmers have walked through its gates – both at its original location in the town centre and at it’s current location on Marsh Road – with each decade bringing new changes for the livestock industry, and especially in more recent times as the world sees the rapid evolution of technology and the globalisation of markets. The Southern Star visited Skibbereen Mart recently to get the lay of the land and understand it’s importance for the local community. Elaine Jennings runs the office at the mart and she and her team keep the proverbial show on the road, facilitating every logistical aspect of a mart day (each Friday). Having worked in the office for over 25 years, Elaine has seen the industry change significantly over the years: ‘Since Covid the biggest thing that has happened to us is the online sales. So that’s a huge thing that has totally opened up the market for us. A person had to physically come into the mart to buy before, now they can do it online.’ This expansion of a previously localised market has led to changes not just on the mart floor, but across all aspects of the business. Elaine said the methods of accepting payments for livestock purchases has changed with the new online system: ‘We were more cheque-based, but since [Covid] we’ve started using credit cards and bank transfers. All that has changed an awful lot.’ The mart’s evolution into a modern marketplace has been felt by the farmers as well. Junior Williamson from Leap has been coming to Skibbereen Mart ‘all his life’, and he also feels that the biggest change in recent years has been the online system, which he says is ‘a great job.’

The mart still exists as a stronghold for socialising and the exchange of ideas, advice and other information for the rural community. Junior says mart day is ‘a kind of social day out too. You’d meet all friends and stuff, I could be talking away and it’s a good thing, meeting people.’ The on-site restaurant is where the social aspect of Skibbereen mart really flourishes. In the simple canteen room with tables, chairs, a small kitchen and serving area, conversations and hot beverages are kept flowing all day here. Mart attendees can get a fresh, full-Irish breakfast in the morning, and a hearty, nourishing dinner later. The diligent catering staff keep the kitchen running throughout the day. The food is simple and delicious, and everything a hungry farmer or cattle dealer needs to keep them fuelled for the day’s business. Skibbereen woman Nollaig Harte has been running the mart’s restaurant since it first opened 26 years ago. Her jobs include sourcing ingredients, cooking, staff management, quality control, and everything else needed to put good food on a plate. On the lunch menu the day The Southern Star visited was roast beef, roast pork, chicken and ham and deep-fried haddock. All of the meat and vegetables are sourced locally, and the desserts are homemade. Nollaig’s favourite part about working in the restaurant is the clientele, who provide ‘great conversation.’ ‘You’re a bit of everybody [to them]. You’re an agony aunt, you’re a friend, you’re everything. It’s great fun, and they’re the salt of the earth.’ Nollaig believes deeply in the importance of the mart for socialisation: ‘A lot of older farmers don’t come for the mart

Shane O’Neill, Skibbereen and Junior Williamson, Leap at Skibbereen Mart. (Photos: Anne Minihane)

Ella Mai Griffin and Claire Roycroft, who is also a nail technician when not farming. 38

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 itself, they come for the social side. They come for the dinner, they come for the chat, they mightn’t see anybody for a week again.’ Standing above the animal pens in the back hall of the mart, some might describe the atmosphere as overstimulating. The clatter of cows against the metal fencing, short ‘moos’ from calves, the clanging of gates and drovers shouting to guide cattle fill the space. Hailstones pelting off the mart roof complete the cacophony of noise. For those standing inside, however, you get the impression that they are exactly where they want to be. The farmers (many of whom are still teenagers) handling the cattle being presented in the ring carry out their work with such an admirable energy that feeds into the overall buzz of mart day. Wading through a sea of calves and commandeering the labyrinth of gates and pens is just another day’s work for them. Although the majority of those attending the mart are male, women play a vital role in supporting the local agricultural sector. Claire Roycroft from Schull attends Skibbereen Mart with her father. The 19-year-old mixes farming with an unlikely passion; when she’s not helping out on the farm or at the mart, Claire is a nail technician. ‘When I tell people I’m

Nollaig Harte (third from left) runs the restaurant at Skibbereen Mart with her team Fiona Minihane, Debarati Bandyopadhaya, Sharon Fahy, Margaret Buckley and Jessie Wang. a farmer and a beautician they’re kind of like “what the hell, that’s two very different jobs!”’ she said. According to Claire, farming and doing nails complement each other well: ‘If you have a stressful day on the farm, heading back into nails…it’s just a release.’ As a young woman, attending the mart can be

‘daunting’ for Claire, but she enjoys meeting and chatting with people. The burning question however, can you have great nails and farm at the same time? ‘Absolutely,’ she said. ‘I love it. All the older men would be giving you looks and everything. The more makeup the better!’ Regardless of the move towards online

sales, the local marts, not just Skibbereen but Bandon and Macroom too, are intrinsic to agricultural life in West Cork. They bring like-minded people together, regardless of their age or gender to not only conduct their business but also to interact, share and learn in an ever-evolving and vital part of Irish rural life.

Above: Liam McCarthy, Dunmanway; Dan Connolly, Baltimore and Jack Burchill, Castlehaven drovers at Skibbereen Mart. Below: Cork Marts auctioneers Robin Leahy and Denis O’Donoghue with: Keith Mullaney, (centre), manager, Skibbereen Mart.

An article that appeared in The Southern Star in November 1957 about the announcement of a mart for Skibbereen. The original location was in the Fair Field in the centre of town, where the weekly Farmers’ Market is held now. The mart moved to its current location on Marsh Road in the early 2000s. 39

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

CORBETT CONCRETE Dairy Grip Slats

Cahir, Co.Tippereary Tel: 052 7441 590

Pat O’Brien Agent for West Cork/Kerry Tel: 086 263 0286

FERTILISER SPREADING SERVICE

G SERVICIN T S THE WE EA CORK AR

• Latest GPS technology • Proof of placement • Section control • Bulk/ Blanket spreading • Wide range of fertiliser • Lime granular spreading

CONTACT Barry O Sullivan | 087 2717800 40

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Quality Fuel • Trusted Agri Supplies • Reliable Service

Fertilizer Cubicle Lime Grass Seed  Minerals Bale Wrap  Sprays

YOUR LAND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE INVOLVED IN FORESTRY

SERVICES SERVICES

Get tax-free grants and premiums on as little as 0.1 ha

FUEL SUPPLIES

AGRI SUPPLIES & SERVICES

Effective • Affordable • Efficient

MAIN PRODUCTS MAIN PRODUCTS

 Low Moisture Content  Easy to Light  Longer Burn Time  Cleaner, Hotter Heat Bulk & Bagged Options Available Local Delivery Service

GPS Fertilizer Spreading (Supply and Spread)

There is a Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine scheme that is right for you.

Tractor and Post Driver Hire Professional Spraying

Call us to find out more.

ANIMAL HEALTH & HYGIENE SERVICES

Agents for Ark Farm Innovations Leader in Dairy Hygiene Animal Detergents Science Led Approach to

1 800 303 426

Infection Control Solutions

In partnership with

SPILLANES FUEL & AGRI FUEL IMPORTERS & DISTRIBUTORS Ballineen Tel: 023 884 7397 | Mobile: 087 995 2174 Email: info@spillanegroup.ie | accounts@spillanegroup.ie www.fuelandagri.ie

QUARRY PRODUCTS AGRICULTURAL LIME READY MIX CONCRETE Gloun Stone Quarries Gloun Stone Quarries Gloun, Schull, Cahir, Kenmare, Co Cork Co Kerry Tel 028 28161 Tel 064 6641773 Annex E: SR:21 Certified Stone READY-MIX CONCRETE

I.S. EN 206:2002

www.glounstone.ie

Grant Approved Concrete.

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Trusted, expert financial advice ... wherever you are in West Cork

BANDON 023 8842719

CASTLETOWNBERE • 027 37019

KINSALE 021 4773322

BANTRY 027 52323 SKIBBEREEN 028 21818

Call your local branch or visit www.fdc.ie Cotter & Cotter Keane&- logo Keane & font - logo guide & font guide Cotter & Cotter Keane&- logo Keane & font - logo guide & font guide

November 2016 November 2016 Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of 1

FINANCIAL PLANNING FDC Financial Services Ltd Holistic Financial Planning Family / Income Protection

TAX PLANNING Transfer of assets between generations Inheritance planning Capital gains tax

Savings for life’s goals

Incorporations and tax relief

Retirement Planning

Estate planning

Investment Consultancy

VAT Issues including VAT on Property

ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES

Cotter & Cotter Keane&- logo Keane & font - logo guide & font guide

November 2016 November 2016 Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of 1

November 2016 November 2016

Personal tax returns

Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of 1

Mills, West Dunmanway Mills, Dunmanway West Mills, Mills, Dunmanway West West Mills,West Mills, Dunmanway Dunmanway West Dunmanway Mills, Dunmanway Est. 1913Est. 1913 Est. 1913Est. 1913 West West Mills,West Mills, Dunmanway Dunmanway Accounts & budgets A &full range of “Superior” feeds available in AtAtCotter At Cotter & Keane & we manufacture wemanufacture manufacture all our all calf, our calf, Cotter Keane we manufacture all our calf, Cotter Atwe Cotter &&manufacture Keane & Keane Keane we manufacture we all our all calf, our calf, At At & Keane we manufacture we manufacture all our all calf, our calf, Cotter Keane we manufacture all our calf, AtAtCotter Cotter AtCotter Cotter &&Keane Keane &At Keane we manufacture all our all calf, our calf, dairy, dairy, beef and beef sheep and sheep feeds feeds in our in own our mill own mill dairy, beef and sheep feeds in our own mill Payroll & VAT Colours Colours dairy, dairy, beef and beef sheep and sheep feeds in feeds ourmill in ourmill. own mill.or bulk, mini bulk and small bags -own collected dairy, beef and beef sheep and sheep feeds feeds in our in own our mill own dairy, beefand and sheep feeds in our own mill Colours dairy, Colours dairy, dairy, beef beef sheep and sheep feeds in feeds our in own our mill. own mill. full range range A full full ofrange range “Superior” of“Superior” “Superior” Beeffeeds feeds Beef are feedsare are mill deliveredAAAfull from our Bord Bia approved A of “Superior” of Beef Beef are feeds Business & farm West Mills, Dunmanway full range of “Superior” Beef feeds areEst. 1913Est. 1913 West Mills, West Dunmanway Mills, Dunmanway A full range full ofrange range “Superior” of “Superior” Beef feeds Beef feeds are AA15 of of “Superior” Beef feeds Beef are feeds are West West Mills, Mills, Dunmanway Dunmanway manufactured manufactured using aare using high a high of level native of grain. nativegrain. grain. CMYK: A15full 100range - 90 - full 10 - 100 - “Superior” 90 - 10 CMYK: 00 -CMYK: 00level -level 00high - 00 100 - 00 - 00 - of 100 manufactured manufactured using a high using a of native level grain. native consultancy A-CMYK: full range of “Superior” Beef feeds are manufactured using a high level of native grain. Company tax returns

West Mills, Dunmanway

CMYK: RGB: 190RGB: - 30 - 45 190 - 30 - 45 Web: PMS: #BE1E2D Web: #BE1E2D

15 -CMYK: 100 - 90 15 - 10 - 100 - 90 - 10 CMYK: 190RGB: - 30 - 45 190 - 30 - 45 RGB: #BE1E2D Web: #BE1E2D RGB: 35 -RGB: 31 - 32 35 - 31 - Web: 32 Pantone PMS: 1807PantoneWeb: 1807 #231F20 Web: #231F20 PMS:

00 -CMYK: 00 - 00 - 00 100 - 00 - 00 - 100 35 -RGB: 31 - 32 35 - 31 - 32 #231F20 Web: #231F20 Pantone PMS: BlackPantone Black

manufactured manufactured usingaahigh using highlevel level high ofnative level native of grain. nativegrain. grain. manufactured manufactured using using aahigh of level ofgrain. grain. native manufactured using aAt high level of native Our finishing Our finishing feeds have feeds high have ahigh highinclusion inclusion ofcracked cracked of cracked Our finishing Our finishing feeds have feeds amanufacture have inclusion ainclusion of cracked of cracked At Cotter Cotter & & Keane we manufacture we manufacture all our all calf, our calf, At Cotter &Keane Keane we all our calf, At Cotter At Cotter & Keane & Keane we manufacture we manufacture all our all calf, our calf, Our finishing feeds have aahigh high inclusion of Pantone PMS: 1807 Pantone 1807 PMS: Pantone PMS: Black Pantone Black Our finishing Our finishing feeds have feeds a high have inclusion a high inclusion of cracked of cracked maize and maize are and fully are balanced fully balanced with vitamins with vitamins & minerals. & minerals. Our finishing Our finishing feeds have feeds a high have inclusion a high inclusion of cracked of cracked maize and maize are and fully are balanced fully balanced with vitamins with vitamins & minerals. & minerals. maize and inclusion are fully balanced with in vitamins & minerals. dairy, beef and beef sheep and sheep feeds feeds in our in own our mill own mill Our finishing feeds have adairy, high of cracked dairy, beef and sheep feeds in our own mill Colours Colours dairy, dairy, beef and beef sheep and sheep feeds feeds our in own our mill. own mill. maize and maize are and fully are balanced fullybalanced balanced withvitamins vitamins withvitamins vitamins &minerals. minerals. &minerals. minerals. maize and maize are and fully are balanced fully with with & minerals. &in maize and are fully balanced with vitamins Lifeline Lifeline pre-calver pre-calver mineral mineral buckets buckets and crumb and crumb ACTISAF ACTISAF – YEAST –&YEAST is used is all used our in finishing all our finishing A full range A full of range “Superior” of “Superior” Beef feeds Beef are feeds are A full range A full of range “Superior” of “Superior” Beef feeds Beef are feeds Lifeline Pre-Calver Mineral Buckets and Crumb, Lifeline Lamb CMYK: 15 CMYK: 100 90 15 10 100 90 10 CMYK: 00 -CMYK: 00 - are 00 - 00 100 - 00 - 00 - 100 Font Font feeds ensuring feeds ensuring high liveweight high liveweight daily gain. daily gain. Buy 5 Buy get 1 5 free get 1 (while free (while stocks stocks last) last) A full range of “Superior” Beef feeds are Lifeline Lifeline pre-calver pre-calver mineral mineral buckets buckets and crumb and crumb ACTISAF ACTISAF – YEAST –RGB: YEAST is used in is all used our in finishing all our finishing 190RGB: -manufactured 30 - 45190 - 30 - 455 RGB:of 35 -RGB: 31 - 32 35 - 31 - 32 manufactured manufactured using ahigh using high level high ofnative level native of grain. native grain. manufactured using aa using level aaFREE high of level grain. native grain. and Ewe Buckets BUY GET 1 (while stocks last) Lifeline Mineral Buckets and Crumb, Lifeline Lamb manufactured using high level of native Font FontPre-Calver Web:1 #BE1E2D Web: liveweight #BE1E2D Web: grain. #231F20 Web: #231F20 feeds5ensuring feeds ensuring high liveweight high daily gain. daily gain. Buy Buy get 1 5 free get (while free (while stocks stocks last) last) Himalayan Rock Salt available in 25kg bags and Bulk BagsBlack Decorative Cinzel Decorative (Bold) (Bold) Pantone PMS: 1807 Pantone 1807 PMS: Pantone PMS:of Pantone and Ewe BucketsCinzel - BUY 5PMS:GET 1 FREE (while stocks Our finishing Our finishing feeds have feeds high have alast) high inclusion cracked cracked Our finishing Our finishing feeds have feeds aaa high have inclusion ainclusion high inclusion ofofcracked cracked ofBlack cracked Winter Winter Fuel Offers Fuel Offers Our finishing feeds have high inclusion of ex store or delivered Himalayan Rock(Bold) Salt available in are 25kg bags and Bulk Bags -& maize and maize are and fully are balanced fully balanced with vitamins with vitamins &minerals. minerals. &minerals. minerals. Cinzel Decorative Cinzel Decorative (Bold) and maize and fully are balanced fully balanced with vitamins with vitamins & minerals. & are fully balanced with vitamins A•BBuyCmaize DE C F DE GHIJKLM GHIJKLM QR STUVW QR XYZ XYZ Amaize wide Arange wide of range HOMEFIRE ofNOP HOMEFIRE Solid Solid available. Fuels available. 5A Bags •B Buy of Smokeless 5and Bags ofF Smokeless Supertherm Supertherm • Buy 4NOP Bags • Fuels Buy of BNM 4 Bags Premium of STUVW BNM Polish Premium CoalPolish Coal RGB: Web: PMS:

MASSIVE MASSIVE FUEL FUEL SALE SALE NOW NOW ONON

Winter Winter Fuel Offers Fuel Offers MASSIVE MASSIVE FUEL FUEL SALE NOW NOW ONON ex store orSALE delivered

A full range of “Superior” feeds Limited Limited stock of stock BORD NA BORD MÓNA NA MÓNA Premium Premium Polish Coal Polish on Coal offer. offer. Lifeline Lifeline pre-calver pre-calver mineral buckets buckets and crumb and crumb - on ACTISAF ACTISAF –of –TU YEAST is used in isPolish all used our in finishing all our finishing ab cdefghijklmnop cdefghijklmnop qrstuv qrstuv w xyz w xyz AF wide range of Smokeless Fuels, Eco Logs, Briquettes, Kindling, A•BBuyC5A DE C FSmokeless GHIJK GHIJK Lab MNOP L•Homefire MNOP QR S QR S VW TU XYZ VW XYZ A•B wide Arange wide of range HOMEFIRE of HOMEFIRE Solid Fuels Solid available. Fuels available. Bags Buy of 5 DE Bags of Smokeless Supertherm Supertherm Buy 4 Bags •YEAST Buy of BNM 4mineral Bags Premium of BNM Premium Coal Polish Coal • Buy 3Font Columbian • Buyfeeds 3 Columbian Coalensuring plus One Coalensuring Slack plus Oneliveweight Slack •high Buy and 5liveweight Bags •daily Buy of BNM 5 Bags Polish ofLifeline BNM “House” Polish Coal “House” Coal Lifeline Pre-Calver Mineral Buckets Crumb, Lamb Font feeds high gain. daily gain. Crates and bags of6789 Kiln Dried Hardwood, Bulk Bags and Small bags of Buy 5 Buy get 1 5 free get 1 (while free (while stocks stocks last) last) Crates of Crates Kiln of Dried Kiln Hardwood Dried Hardwood and Bulk and Bags Bulk of Bags Blocks of Blocks get 1 free, get now 1 only free, €95 now only €95 get one free, get now one only free, €85 now only €85 1 23 45 1 23 6789 45 0 -=!@£$%^ 0 -=!@£$%^ &*()_ &*()_ + + available. now only €60 now only €60 now onlyoffer. €75 now only €75 Limited Limited stock ofstock BORD ofand NA BORD MÓNA NA MÓNA Premium Premium Polish Coal Polish on offer. on cdefghijklmnop ab cdefghijklmnop qrstuv qrstuv w xyz w xyz Ewe Buckets - BUY 5-Briquettes, GET 1 FREE (while stocks last) A ab wide range of Homefire Smokeless Fuels, Eco Logs, Kindling, Blocks available ex store orCoal delivered. and available. Turf available. • BuySalt 5 Bags • and Buy ofBulk BNM 5Turf Bags Polish ofproduct BNM “House” Polish Coal “House” CoalBulk Bags • Buy 3 Columbian • Buy 3 Columbian Coal plus One CoalSlack plus One Rock Slack We have introduced a new Himalayan available in 25kg bags and Bulk Bags of Bags Blocks of Available Blocks Available Crates and bags of Kiln Dried Hardwood, Bulk Bags and Small bags of Cinzel Decorative Cinzel Decorative (Bold) (Bold) Crates of Crates Kiln of Dried Kiln Hardwood Dried Hardwood and Bulk and Bags Bulk of Bags Blocks of Blocks 1 23 4156789 23 4only 56789 0 =! @£ 0 -Cinzel =! $(Bold) @£ %^& $ %^&* * FUEL ()_+ ()_+ (Bold) now €60 now-Cinzel only €60 now FUEL only nowOffers only €75Offers Winter Winter Fuel Fuel MASSIVE MASSIVE SALE SALE NOW NOW ON ON Blocks available -and ex store or delivered. store or€75 delivered Andrew, Ann and all staff wish our customers and friends a very Christmas and and Turf available. Turf available. Andrew, Andrew, Ann &the all Ann the Staff &ex all the wish Staff our wish customers our customers aavery Happy aHappy very Christmas Happy Christmas for Spring 2026! Andrew, Andrew, Ann & all Ann the & Staff all the wish Staff our wish customers our customers very Happy aof very Christmas Happy Christmas a healthy, safe and prosperous 2023. Your support in 2022 was greatly appreciated. Bulk Bags Bulk of Bags Blocks of Available Blocks Available AB C AB DEF C DEF GHI GHI JK L M JK NOP L M NOP QR S QR TUVW S TUVW XY Z XYCoal Z A wide A range wide of range HOMEFIRE of HOMEFIRE Solid Fuels Solid available. Fuels available. • Buy 5 Bags • Buy of Smokeless 5 Bags of Smokeless Supertherm Supertherm • Buy 4 Bags • Buy of BNM 4 Bags Premium BNM Polish Premium Coal Polish AB AB QRSTUV W XYZ W XYZ and healthy and aaCDEFGHIJKLMNOP &healthy prosperous & prosperous 2020.Your Your 2020. support YourQRSTUV in support 2019was was 2019 greatly was appreciated greatly Cinzel (Bold) Cinzel (Bold) and aaCDEFGHIJKLMNOP healthy and & healthy prosperous & prosperous 2016. 2016. support Your insupport 2015 inin 2015 greatly was appreciate greatly appreciate dappreciated d get 1 free, get now 1 only free, €95 now only €95 get one free, get now one only free, €85 now only €85 Andrew, Ann and all the staff wish our customers and friends a very Happy Christmas and Capper Complete Calf Starter Limited Limited stock of stock BORD of NA MÓNA NA MÓNA Premium Premium Polish Coal Polish on Coal offer. offer. ab cdefghijklmnop ab cdefghijklmnop qrstuv qrstuv xyz w on xyz Andrew, Andrew, Ann all & all Ann Staff &b all the wish Staff our wish customers our customers aBORD Happy very Christmas Happy Christmas us a us for a call competitive for competitive quote on quote any of on our any products of products Athe wide range of Homefire Smokeless Fuels, Eco Logs, Briquettes, Kindling, aall cde a bGive fghijklmnop cde fcall ghijklmnop qr st qr uv st w uv xyz wour xyz Give us aGive Give call us aaa call competitive for aaaacompetitive quote on quote any of on our any products ofw our products Andrew, Andrew, Ann the & Staff the wish Staff our wish customers our customers avery very Happy very Christmas Happy Christmas a healthy, safe& andAnn prosperous 2023. support infor 2022 was greatly appreciated. • Buy 3 Columbian • Your Buy 3support Columbian Coal plus One Coal Slack plus One Slack •was Buy 5greatly Bags • Buy of appreciated BNM 5XYZ BagsPolish of BNM “House” PolishCoal “House” Coal AB AB QRSTUV QRSTUV W XYZ W and healthy and &healthy prosperous &Crates prosperous 2020. Your 2020. Your in support 2019 was in 2019 greatly appreciated and bags of Kiln Dried Hardwood, Bulk Bags and Small bags of Crates of Crates Kiln of Dried Kiln Hardwood Dried Hardwood and Bulk and Bags Bulk of Bags Blocks of Blocks forage required as it contains Alfalfa 1No 23 4 1 56789 23 456789 0 = ! @ 0 £ = $ ! @ % ^& £ $ % * ( ^& ) _ + * ( ) _ + and aaCDEFGHIJKLMNOP healthy and aaCDEFGHIJKLMNOP & healthy prosperous & prosperous 2016. Your 2016. support Your in support 2015 was in 2015 greatly was appreciate greatly appreciate d d 1 23 45 1 23 6789 0 -=!@£$%^ 0 -=!@£$%^ &*()_ &*()_ + only €75 + only €75 now45 only 6789 €60 now only €60 now now CONTACT Blocks available -and ex store or delivered. CONTACT CONTACT and available. Turf available. CONTACT CONTACT us call us for a call competitive for competitive quote on quote any of on our any our and Wheat Straw. This is ideal ab cde abGive fghijkl cde fghijkl nop nop qr st qr uv st w uv xproducts yofof w zBlocks xproducts yAvailable z Give us a aGive Give call for ustop-quality aaam call competitive for aam competitive quote on quote any ofTurf on our any products of our products Bulk Bags Bulk of Bags Blocks Available Danny O’Regan Cinzel (Bold) Cinzel (Bold) Rumen Danny Danny O’Regan for Development. Danny Danny O’Regan O’Regan 1 23 41523 6789 4 5 6789 0Andrew, - =!Andrew, @£ 0 -proper =! $ @£ % ^all &*()_+ $O’Regan %wish ^&* ()_+ Ann and all&the staff our customers and friends a very Christmas and 086-6013115 or CONTACT Andrew, Ann Ann the Staff & all the wish Staff ouror wish customers our customers aavery Happy aHappy Christmas Happy CONTACT CONTACT Andrew, Andrew, Ann & all Ann the & Staff all the wish Staff our wish customers our very Happy avery very Christmas HappyChristmas Christmas 086-6013115 086-6013115 or CONTACT TRUST - EXPERTISE - LOCAL - PERSONAL CONTACT 086-6013115 086-6013115 or orsupport a healthy, safe andex prosperous 2023. Your support incustomers 2022 was greatly appreciated. Available store or delivered. AB CDEFGHIJKLMNOP AB CDEFGHIJKLMNOP QRSTUV QRSTUV W XYZ W XYZ and a healthy and a & healthy prosperous & prosperous 2020. Your 2020. Your in support 2019 was in 2019 greatly was appreciated greatly appreciated Andrew Keane and a healthy and a&healthy prosperous & prosperous 2016. Your 2016. support Yourinsupport 2015 was in 2015 greatly wasappreciate greatly appreciate d d Danny O’Regan DannyDanny Danny O’Regan O’Regan Andrew Andrew KeaneKeane Keane Andrew Andrew Keane Danny O’Regan O’Regan 023-8845115/8855206 Give us call us for a call competitive for aacompetitive competitive quoteon on quote any of on our any products of our products ab cdefghijklm ab c defghijklm nop nop qr st qr u v st w u xy v w z xy z It’s the FDC way! Give us a aGive Give call for us aaacall competitive for quote quote any of on our any products of our products 086-6013115 or 023-8845115/8855206 023-8845115/8855206 CONTACT 086-6013115 086-6013115 or or 023-8845115/8855206 086-6013115 086-6013115 123ordesign 456789 123or4023-8845115/8855206 56789 0-=!@ 0 -£=$! @ % ^& £ $ *% (^& ) _ +* (07969 ) _ 456 + 274 Andrew Keane m: 07969 456m:274 o graphic design o graphic Danny O’Regan 086CONTACT 6013115info@mogo-design.co.uk CONTACT CONTACT Andrew Andrew Keane Keane CONTACT CONTACT Andrew Andrew Keane Keane info@mogo-design.co.uk get 1 free, get now1 only free, €95 now only €95

o graphic design o graphic design o print, production o print, & mailing production & mailing o full service solutions o full service solutions

o print, production o print, & mailing production & mailing 023-8845115/8855206

get one free, getnow one only free, €85 now only €85

m: 07969 456m:274 07969 456 274 info@mogo-design.co.uk info@mogo-design.co.uk www.mogo-design.co.uk www.mogo-design.co.uk

www.mogo-design.co.uk www.mogo-design.co.uk o full service solutions o full service solutions Danny O’Regan Ronan McCarthy 085 7302220 023-8845115/8855206 023-8845115/8855206 Danny Danny O’Regan O’Regan 023-8845115/8855206 023-8845115/8855206 Danny Danny O’Regan O’Regan sales@cotterandkeane.ie 086-6013115 or 086-6013115 086-6013115 or or Andrew086-6013115 Keane086-6013115 023 or 88 45115 or Andrew Keane m: 07969 456m:274 07969 456 274 o graphic design o graphic design FDC Financial Services Ltd is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland Andrew Andrew Keane Keane Andrew Andrew Keane Keane info@mogo-design.co.uk info@mogo-design.co.uk o print, production osales@cotterandkeane.ie print, & mailing production & mailing 023-8845115/8855206 www.mogo-design.co.uk www.mogo-design.co.uk o full service solutions o full service solutions 023-8845115/8855206 023-8845115/8855206 023-8845115/8855206 023-8845115/8855206

The Southern Star | 43

Clockwise from top: Chris Gleasure enjoys spectacular views from his Fendt ‘office’ as he ploughs on Barry’s Head, Nohoval. Jim O’Regan, Coolyrahilly Farms in his New Holland T7 200 pulling fodder beet. Ger Kirby from Ballinascarthy took part in the senior class at Bandon Ploughing Association’s 81st annual match which were held on the lands of Derek Lovell, Knockbrown in early March. (Photos: Peter O’Brien and Denis Boyle) 43

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Serving the farmers of West Cork since 2013 Lisavaird, Clonakilty, Co. Cork P85 T683 Our Services:

Sales Parts Service Contact us:

023 8850033 087 7403117 (Parts) 087 2579271 (Sales)

The Southern Star | 45

War in Middle East has a broad impact Supply and cost of fuel and fertiliser are major concerns for farmers and contractors at the moment, writes Emma Connolly THE spiralling cost of fuel is a ‘ferocious worry’ facing agricultural contractors as the war in the Middle East continues. ‘We’re in limbo land at the moment and have no idea where this is going to end up,’ said one of West Cork’s leading agri contractors, Kilbrittain based Micheal O’Mahony. Between haulage and contracting, his business has 25 vehicles on the road, and he said fuel price hikes are a huge concern at the moment. The situation is constantly changing but green diesel has already increased by 50% in the last month, from €1 a litre to €1.50. ‘And margins are already pretty tight for us,’ he said. Obviously, no one knows how long the situation will continue, however Micheal said farmers should at least be preparing for possible price hikes when silage season hits. As well as concerns over fuel prices, the price and availability of fertiliser is another issue, said Tadhg Healy, chair of IFA West Cork. ‘We can’t look into the future, it’s an evolving situation but one with potentially very serious consequences,’ he said. ‘Our members are contacting us looking for direction, and it’s an issue that the IFA are bringing to the powers that be. A lot of the seasonal work on farms is getting underway at the moment, work that requires both fuel and fertiliser – farmers have no alternatives, and while people need to look after their margins we’d urge co-ops and merchants not to price gouge,’ he added.

Bill O’Keeffe, chair of the IFA’s business committee has called for the government’s carbon tax due to be applied in May, to be suspended. ‘That would see a 2c increase on green diesel and kerosene. We’re also looking for a European levy on fertiliser to be delayed given the current situation,’ he said. He highlighted how CAN fertiliser has increased between 25% and 30% from €400 to €500 a tonne, while urea based fertiliser has gone up 80% from €480 to €850. ‘But it’s not just the cost that’s an issue, it’s fears over its availability. LNG isn’t getting out to some fertiliser producing regions and where fertiliser is being made, there’s fears production will have to cease due to lack of storage, if they can’t get it out. The big thing is that every day fertiliser isn’t produce, it will create a huge deficit for the rest of the year,’ he pointed out. However, his advice to farmers is not to to stockpile or panic buy – even if resources are available – as that will certainly drive prices up. ‘We advise to lock in supply for the first six months and wait and see. But without a doubt it’s of huge concern to see such a spike in farm costs since February.’ Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed the Government is finalising an ‘appropriate intervention’ to address rising fuel costs. However, he said that Ireland and the European Union remain exposed to fossil fuel price shocks and that this reliance is not ‘sustainable’ or ‘secure’. ‘The only lasting answer is to reduce that dependence,’ he said.

Lely Center Mitchelstown Robotic Milking, Feeding and Cleaning Specialists Proudly supporting West Cork farmers

025 - 41665

info-thu@lelycenter.com

Wheeling in the years Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Reaching a milestone 250 Farm Classics articles for The Southern Star, Peter O’Brien takes a break from his regular weekly column to reflect on tractors that left a lasting impression throughout his experiences driving tractors from the early 2000s

David Brown 1412 While many learn to drive on smaller tractors on the home farm, not being from a farming background, the first tractor I drove was a David Brown 1412 Hydrashift. Belonging to a neighbouring farmer, the 1412 was a decent size tractor with 90hp under the long bonnet, and more importantly, it was turbocharged. The 1412 was a great tractor to learn to drive on as the main four gears were powershift, with the clutch only being required for selecting the range. This made the tractor very forgiving to a novice as I got to terms with manoeuvring the tractor and using the rear implements, mainly a topper. I have very fond memories of looking out over the long bonnet from the high driving position and the distinctive sound of the 3.9l David Brown engine.

The David Brown 1412 Hydrashift, still in use today.

Ford 8340 SLE

For a time one summer, I was charged with driving a white cabbed Ford 8340 and 8 bale Keltic handler. After gaining more driving experience, I was more than up for the challenge of mastering the relatively new concept of the Keltic handler, but it was the Ford tractor that sticks in my mind. The engine was very lively and responsive; however, it was the whine from the spur cut gears in the SLE gearbox that still resonate. A nimble tractor, the 8340 was responsive and the SLE 8 speed semi-powershift transmission was enjoyable to drive.

A Ford 8340 SLE, similar to the model referred to. 46

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Valmet 8050

As I moved to gaining my licence, I cut my teeth on Valmet 8050 and Valtra 8150 tractors. A tractor with superb power and torque, the tractor had a highly functional 36F/36R gearbox including a 3 speed splitter which was simple and gave great feedback. It was an enjoyable tractor to drive, very responsive pulling through the gears and sounded like a jet in full flight on the road complete with a lively road speed. I learned a great deal about correct gear selection, gearing down and engine braking as well as best line of approach on these tractors. These Valtras punched well above their weight and sparked a great interest for me in the Nordic brand.

Leaving a lasting impression, the Valmet 8050 was a no-nonsense law of the lever tractor.

John Deere 7810

The John Deere 7810 needs little introduction, the flagship on many contracting fleets in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. I was fortunate that a local plant hire company had a John Deere 7810 in its fleet that I would get to drive briefly on occasion. Its high driving position and distinctive throaty roar definitely made the operator feel that he/she was sitting on top of a beast. 7810’s were usually fitted with 650 tyres on 42-inch rims which added to their beefy appearance, and were tractors that were always doing hard work such as powering front and rear mowers. I remember the 7810 as having endless pulling power and a satisfying ‘clunk’ as one changed through the gear ranges. Despite it’s size, it had a great lock and excellent visibility.

A John Deere 7810, similar to the model referred to.

New Holland TM165 Ultra

I have clocked up many hours driving New Holland TM tractors including 125, 140, 155 and 190 models however it is the TM165 Ultra which resonates the most. I spent many enjoyable hours driving a 2002 TM165 Ultra during the Celtic Tiger era hauling earth and rubble with a Dooley dump trailer. It was a tractor that had it all – a top spec New Holland with an 18 speed powershift gearbox, a Sears operators seat, 42-inch rear wheel rims, a bar axle, front axle and cab suspension as well as being an uncommon tractor. The 7.5 litre PowerStar engine had ample power and it was a very comfortable tractor to drive. The NH TM165 brings back fond and carefree driving memories of working with my friends during my late teens.

Relieved of dump trailer duties for silage, this NH TM165 Ultra was one of Peter’s all-time favourite tractors.

While these tractors fall somewhat short of their modern siblings that are packed with technology and comfort, I feel fortunate to have cut my teeth on the tractors of the millennium. Of course, like cars, music and the like, they evoke fond nostalgic memories. These were tractors that still required driving, but brought with them good levels of

comfort, usability and most importantly for me – enjoyment! Other tractors worthy of mention include: Ford 7600, 7810 and TW-15, John Deere 6610, Fiat 1000, F140 and NH Fiat M160, Landini Legend 185, MF188, 699 and 7718, New Holland TM125 and TM155. 47

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

‘The possessors of the whole of their establishment’

Regarded by many, including his own family as eccentric, West Cork’s William Thompson held strong and well-meaning values about the importance of co-operatives, writes Robert Hume IN summer 1814, a traveller passing through West Cork may have glimpsed a man in his mid-thirties pacing the fields with a stick, from which a red, white and blue rag was dangling. That man would have been William Thompson, recently returned from France, his head spinning with revolutionary ideas – liberty, equality, fraternity. In Ireland that meant Catholic emancipation, a vote for women, workers owning a share of land. William was born in 1778 into one of the richest merchant families of Cork. His father, John, was often absent from his estate in Carhoogarriff, near Leap, because of his official duties as lord mayor and high sheriff of Cork. When Alderman Thompson died, William was determined not to live as ‘one of the idle classes’, and moved to Clounkeen House, where he supervised his 1,700 acres from a 100-foot-high watchtower – not as a despot but as a benevolent landowner, who slashed his tenants’ rents and paid for their children’s schooling. Within three years he became bankrupt and was forced to sell around 300 acres. Locals were taken aback by the behaviour of this newcomer, who’d given up meat and alcohol so he could think more clearly. They’d heard he was feeding his pigs sawdust because he believed animal flesh and bones were made of wood fibre. One claimed that when a mouse got stuck in his honey, Thompson had picked it up by the tail and licked it clean before releasing it. Many thought he’d gone cuckoo. However, these shenanigans were nothing compared to his unconventional ideas on land ownership – a generation before Karl Marx – which earned him the nickname ‘Red Republican’. In his pamphlet Practical Directions for Communities, he maintained that over 90% of people were ‘utterly destitute’. They lived in towns and villages, full of prying eyes and envious, competitive neighbours. Only through co-operatives, like Robert Owen’s in New Harmony, Indiana, could labourers achieve ‘individual independence’ and an ‘increase of happiness’ – something he’d recently discussed in London with philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Should minor disagreements arise, they could easily be settled ‘amicably’, without the interference of lawyers. What’s more, co-operatives could provide better food, improved hygiene and health, leading to longer life expectancy. Should anyone fall ill, no doctor was needed because their comrades could nurse them. In 1827 the Co-operative Magazine published a Prospectus of the Cork Co-operative Community, a proposed 100-acre estate, initially of 200 labourers, to be established ‘within 15 miles’ of Cork City, and funded by shares or weekly subscriptions from sixpence to five shillings. Members would be united into one ‘harmonious family’, without inequalities or clashes of interest. Front cover of Practical Directions for Communities (1830), To save journeys to written in Cork.

Portrait of William Thompson by George Chinnery, c.1830. work, and improve security, all the buildings – domestic, agricultural and manufacturing – must be ‘intermixed, under one roof ’. Situated on higher ground in ‘one great square’, three storeys high, they’d include a mill, stables, threshing machinery, a forge, dance hall, library, lecture room, and a school – where only ‘interesting, agreeable topics’ and absolutely no moral instruction were to be taught. In time, every adult would have a private sitting room and bedroom, with married couples getting adjacent rooms. The complex should resemble a beautiful ‘ornamental park’, with no internal fences. There’d be glorious tree-lined walkways, a waterwheel, beehives, an abundance of flowers, and white mulberry trees, cultivated for silk. In this Utopia, there’d be no streets because streets led to lanes, ‘focuses of contagion’, ‘confinement of air’, miasmas and the ‘concentration of effluvia’. Land must be levelled and drained, so ‘not a drop of stagnant water’ remained on, or beneath, the surface. Liquid manure could be pumped through underground iron pipes to fertilize four fields, used for growing potatoes, wheat, cabbages and barley on a rotation basis. Hunger would become a thing of the past: there’d be a reserve stock of grain ‘for the use of scarce seasons’, and sugar, ‘equal to the best imported molasses’, could be made from potatoes. White poppies might even provide ‘the milky juice for opium’, to 48

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026 be used in medicine – no need to import it from the East Indies or Turkey. Of the initial 200 members, 52 were earmarked for agriculture and gardening, 66 for building and furnishing, 59 for textiles, and 23 for baking, shoemaking, milling, storekeeping and teaching. Nobody had to be ‘be pained by the sight’ or ‘burdened by the support’ of paupers, since everyone was ‘usefully employed’ for six hours a day, winter included. Members were told to expect some austerity during the start-up: there’d be no new clothes, just bread and potatoes to eat. But from day one, a pint of fresh milk would be provided to every individual each morning. By the third summer, trees should yield enough fruit to ensure everyone their pie or pudding, and within a few years, every man and woman would own at least one sheep. They’d be ‘the possessors of the whole of their establishment’. Unfortunately, in 1833 William Thompson died, unmarried and childless, his project still on the drawing board, generally considered mere claptrap. Those who listened to his will being read were flabbergasted: he had requested his corpse be dug up and ribs tipped with silver to give a ‘fashionable appearance’, his skull sent to a Paris phrenologist, and his body given to the first successful co-operative in Britain or Ireland. But it was Thompson’s final request that most infuriated his family, who spent the next twenty-five years contesting the will on the grounds that he was insane: William Thompson had bequeathed his entire fortune to the co-operative movement.

The Thompson memorial at Clounkeen Cross

(Photo: Wikimedia)

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Tractors

Machinery

Equipment

Gavin McCarthy Tractors Airhill, Schull, West Cork

EPAI R & E C I V R E SALES, S We pride ourselves in supplying quality new & used tractors, farm equipment, construction machinery, attachments and parts.

A family run business, serving West Cork and beyond for over 30 years.

ABLISHMENT Call us today with any questions and we will be happy to help! Tel: 028 28134 | Mobile 086 8045371

FORESTRY ESTABLISHMENT Planting your lands is an important decision. Our forestry experts will work with you through the entire process to guarantee the best outcome for you.

What you Get Premiums worth up to €22,060 per hectare Annual Premiums for 20 years Management contract for 4 years Fully Grant Aided planting Get in touch

Hugo McCormick E: HUGO@greenbelt.ie M: 086 259 2651 www.greenbelt.ie

P 049 85 48000 50

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Cork dairy income could drop by €320 million this year THE ICMSA has released figures illustrating the financial shock that could be suffered by Cork dairy farmers through the next 12 months due to collapse in farmer milk price that began in August and is continuing – albeit at a slower pace. ICMSA president, Denis Drennan, said that approximately €1.3b (billion) will be wiped out directly in dairy farmer income with a directly resultant ‘hit’ in the order of almost €3 billion as the milk revenue went ‘out the farm gates’ and was multiplied into the wider rural communities. ‘Rural Ireland runs on milk. It’s the fuel; it’s the basis for prosperity, not just for the farmer-producers, but for the while host community as it goes out the farm gates and into the contractors, machinery, services, feed and all the other services and merchants supplying into it. The standard multiplier effect is 2.3 and when you apply that to the already sobering figures of €1.3 billion you begin to see the kind of economic hit that a collapse in milk price inflicts on the state as a whole – but very disproportionately on the big milk-producing counties like Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry. The kind of income “wipeout” that we’re seeing on the basis of these price falls – where the price farmers are receiving is now below the

costs of production – becomes disastrous in a county like Cork that produces near 25% of all the milk in the State. That means that a drop in direct dairy farmer income in just Cork of nearly €320m with that rising to nearly €750m out of Cork’s economy when that direct dairy multiplier of 2.3 is applied in reverse,’ he said. Over the last five years, the Irish dairy sector has seen both volume and cow numbers stabilise in comparison to the the growth phase of the previous decade, it’s now possible to see the full extent of volatility that is happening to revenues accruing to dairy farmers. The average revenues come in at €4b per annum over the six years but the deviation from the mean is at €800m. This, according to the specialist dairy farmer organisation, is an uncontrollable level of volatility in a sector that is showing such stability in production. ‘Dairy farmers need to plan for their revenues to be either 20% higher or lower than the average. But even that means that in you could have a 40% swing in income over two successive years. We’re heading for 35% drop in milk income for this year compared to last. How does anyone plan or budget on the basis of that? It’s impossible,’ declared the

ICMSA’s Denis Drennan has called for a voluntary supply reduction scheme to reduce milk production and put a ‘floor’ under milk prices. ICMSA president. Mr Drennan said that these kinds of milk price collapses have occurred previously, most notably during the eerily similar 2016 milk price collapse and on that occasion ICMSA and the other constituent members of the European

Milk Board (EMB) had lobbied for the introduction of a EU-wide voluntary supply reduction scheme which incentivised farmers to reduce milk production and which had an ‘overnight’ positive effect on milk price. ‘It put a “floor” under the market and the reality of lower volumes brought the buyers back into the market immediately to buy forward and secure supply. ICMSA and the other specialist dairy associations right across the EU want this scheme taken back off the shelf and reintroduced to effect a similar price stabilisation and then recovery. ‘Minister Heydon has to go to the Commission and Council of Ministers and point to the dairy farmer wipeout being experienced across the EU. When he calls for a Voluntary Supply Reduction Scheme he’s going to find a lot of receptive ears because EMP has already briefed the other ministers on this real, relatively cheap and ready-to-go option that worked successfully before and can work again,’ continued Mr Drennan. Pointing out that time is of the essence here, Mr Drennan said we need that floor’put under the market and recovery to begin before peak production and certainly no later than the end of April.

ICSA chief slams price ‘collapse’ ICSA’s newly elected beef chair, Laois farmer Sean Sherman, has said beef farmers are facing a crisis of confidence as factory prices plunge, leaving producers unable to plan and questioning the future of the sector. Mr Sherman, who was recently elected at the Association’s AGM in Portlaoise, said the scale and speed of the recent price drop is ‘simply incomprehensible’ to farmers. ‘Right now, farmers are receiving around €1.10/kg less for cattle than they were at the beginning of December.’ He said farmers had made rational and justified decisions to hold cattle into the spring based on clear market signals. ‘With the kill projected to be significantly back in the first quarter, farmers were absolutely within their rights to expect that prices would at least remain stable. Instead, factories have cut prices dramatically, despite the kill being down by over 62,000 head so far this year.

That represents a drop of approximately 16% compared to the same period last year and completely ignores the basic laws of supply and demand.’ Mr Sherman said that, had farmers known what factories were going to do with prices, many would have thought twice about keeping cattle into the spring. ‘Farmers made decisions in good faith, expecting to at least cover their costs this spring. Once again, those expectations have been completely undermined. It also defies logic that Irish beef prices are around 30c/kg behind those in the UK and across Europe. Farmers are rightly demanding to know why we are at the bottom of the EU price league.’ He said it is now time for full transparency and accountability from processors and he has called for Meat Industry Ireland and factory management to be called before the Oireachtas to explain what is going on. 51

Newly elected ICSA beef chair Sean Sherman with Minister Martin Heydon at the ICSA’s annual conference in Portlaoise recently.

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

ICMSA ICMSA has has represented represented farm farm families families from from West West Cork Cork and and all over Ireland at local, national and European level all over Ireland at local, national and European level with with their their problems problems that that has has been been our our trademark trademark for for over over 70 70 years. years. We’re We’re the the specialist specialist family family farm farm organisation organisation and and we we have have an unrivalled record of sound analysis and a focus on an unrivalled record of sound analysis and a focus on farm farm incomes. incomes. We We are are organised organised by by -- and and work work for for -- farmers. farmers. And only farmers. And only farmers. Chairperson Chairperson of of West West Cork Cork ICMSA: ICMSA: D.J. Keohane, Timoleague, D.J. Keohane, Timoleague, 086-8566473 086-8566473 Secretary Secretary of of West West Cork Cork ICMSA: ICMSA: Vanessa Kiely O’Connor, Inishannon, Vanessa Kiely O’Connor, Inishannon, 086-1768112 086-1768112 West West Cork Cork Member Member Relations Relations Officer: Officer: Michael Thornton, Michael Thornton, 087-1618213 087-1618213 061-314677, 061-314677, or or info@icmsa.ie info@icmsa.ie Please also look at our Please also look at our website website at at www.icmsa.ie www.icmsa.ie

Breedon Materials Suppliers of fully certified concrete Servicing the West Cork area. We supply concrete to Farmers Commercial Domestic

Coppeen 023-8822833

CONTACTS:

Declan Sexton 087 352 3020 E-mail: declan.sexton@breedongroup.com Pat Kavanagh 087 6281214 John Geany 087 2845207 www.breedongroup.com

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

CORK FARM PAINTERS CORK FARM PAINTERS

CALL NOW FOR FREE QUOTATION AND All Farmyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard. CALL NOW FOR FREE WE ARE NOW TAKING BOOKINGS. All Farmyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard. We service all of Cork. References available. Our Range of Services: AllAll Farmyard Buildings Cleaned &&West Painted toto the Standard. WE SERVICE Farmyard BuildingsCarefully Carefully Cleaned Painted theHighest Highest Standard. QUOTATION WE SERVICE Our Range of Services: •Farmyard Power Hosing AllAll Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard. WE SERVICE ALL OVER THE MUNSTER Farmyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard. farmyard buildings carefully cleaned & painted to the highest standard ALL OVER THE ••All Power Hosing Our Range of Services: Farm ShedofPainting ALL OVER THE MUNSTER Our Range Services: WE SERVICE REGION We service all of West Cork. WE SERVICE •• Farm Shed Painting WE SERVICE WEST CORK REGION Our Range of of Services: • Power Hosing Farm Building Repairs ALL OVER REGION WE SERVICE Our Range Services: WE SERVICE • Farm Power Hosing THE MUNSTER OUR SERVICES WE SERVICE • Building Repairs ALL OVER THE MUNSTER ALL OVER THE •• Power Hosing Farm Shed Painting General Repairs such as ALL - Sky Lights / Timbers / Guttering ALL OVER THE References ••• Power Hosing OVER THE MUNSTER TRUCK MOUNTED HEIST Farm Shed Painting available. ALL OVER THE/REGION MUNSTER Repairs such as - Sky Lights /•REGION Timbers Guttering CALL NOW FOR FREE QUOTATION AND •• Farm Shed Painting REGION WEST CORK •••• General building repairs Power Hosing Farm Building Repairs Farm Shed Painting REGION WEST CORK REGION /Farm New Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Fitted Building Repairs REGION /Farm New Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Fitted Farmyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard. • All Farm Building Repairs •• Farm Building Repairs • General Repairs such as Sky Lights / Timbers / Guttering WE ARE NOW TAKING BOOKINGS. • General repairs such • Farm shed painting Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting General Repairs such - Sky Lights / Timbers / Guttering •• Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting • All General Repairs such as as -as Sky Lights /Carefully Timbers / Guttering Farmyard Buildings Cleaned & cleaned Painted to the Highest Standard. ••New General Repairs such - Sky /Fitted Timbers / Guttering Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Cherry Picker forSheeting Working SafeLights at Heights •New Cherry Picker for Working Safe at Heights New Cladding Supplied and Fitted All farmyard buildings carefully & painted to We service all of Cork. References available. //Our Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Fitted sky lights/timber/ • Fitted Commercial/Industrial Range of Services: All Farmyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned &&West Painted toto the Highest Standard. //as: New Cladding Sheeting Supplied and WE SERVICE All Farmyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned Painted the Highest Standard. • Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting • Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting • Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting WE SERVICE Our Range of Services: Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting •Farmyard Power Hosing guttering/new cladding spray painting the highest standard All Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard. WE SERVICE Cherry Picker forfor Working Safe at Heights Heights ALL OVER THE MUNSTER ••All Cherry Picker for Working Safe at Farmyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard. • Cherry Picker Working Safe at Heights All farmyard buildings carefully cleaned & painted to the highest standard • Cherry Picker for Working Safe at Heights ALL THE OVERMUNSTER THE •• BEFORE Power Hosing BEFORE Our Range of of Services: Farm Shed Painting BEFORE BEFORE OVER Our Range Services: andALL sheeting supplied fitted WE REGION WESERVICE SERVICE • Farm Shed Painting WE SERVICE WEST CORK REGION

CORK FARM PAINTERS

Our of of Services: • Power Hosing • Range Farm Building Repairs REGION WE SERVICE Our Range Services: WE SERVICE Power Hosing OVER THE MUNSTER WE SERVICE •• BEFORE Farm Building Repairs ALL ALL OVER THE MUNSTER ALL OVER THE •• BEFORE Power Hosing BEFORE BEFORE REPAIRS Farm Shed Painting BEFORE General Repairs such as ALL - Sky Lights / Timbers / Guttering ALL OVER THE BEFORE ••• BEFORE Power Hosing OVER THE MUNSTER BEFORE TRUCK MOUNTED HEIST Farm Shed Painting ALL OVER THE MUNSTER • General Repairs such as - Sky Lights /•REGION Timbers /REGION Guttering •• Farm Shed Painting REGION WEST CORK •Farm Farm building repairs Power Hosing Building Repairs •• Farm Shed Painting REGION WEST CORK REGION //Farm New Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Fitted Building Repairs REGION New Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Fitted • Farm Building Repairs Building Repairs • General Repairs such assuch -Spray Sky Lights / Timbers / Guttering ••••• Farm General repairs •/ Timbers Farm painting Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting General Repairs such - Sky Lights /shed Guttering Commercial/Industrial Painting • General Repairs such as as -as Sky Lights / Timbers / Guttering •New General Repairs such - Sky Lights /Fitted Timbers / Guttering Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Picker for Working Safe at Heights Cherry Picker for Working Safe at Heights //Cherry New Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Fitted //••New Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Fitted as: lights/timber/ • Fitted Commercial/Industrial Newsky Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting •• Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting spray painting •• Commercial/Industrial Spray Painting guttering/new cladding •• Cherry Cherry Picker for Working Safe at Heights Picker forfor Working Safe at at Heights Cherry Picker for Working Safe at Heights Heights ••BEFORE Cherry Picker Working BEFORE ange of Services: BEFORE BEFORE sheeting supplied andSafe fitted WE SERVICE AFTER AFTER WE SERVICE

OUR SERVICES

SHORTENS GARAGE BALLINEEN SPECIALISING IN NEW HOLLAND PA PPARTS RTS & SERVICE R

SUPPLYING SALES & SERVICE FOR 60 YEARS

P Massive selection of original parts for

P Repairs to all makes of tractors & machinery P Full range of batteries and lubricants P Dyno testing, hydraulic hose repairs P Air Con & knife sharpening P Competitive labour rates, low VAT rate, New Holland trained technicians

armyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard.

ange of Services: er Hosing WE SERVICE THE MUNSTER AFTERALL OVER AFTER OXIDE GREEN BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE REPAIRS ALL THE OVER THE Hosing BEFORE BEFORE merShed Painting BEFORE BEFORE AFTER AFTER ALL OVER MUNSTER AFTER AFTER REGION Shed Painting WEST CORK REGION m Building Repairs REGION AFTER AFTER AFTER Building RepairsAFTER eral Repairs such as - Sky Lights / Timbers / Guttering eral Repairs such as - Sky Lights / Timbers / Guttering w Cladding Cladding Sheeting Sheeting Supplied Supplied and and Fitted Fitted w mercial/Industrial Spray Painting mercial/Industrial Spray Painting armyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard. ry Picker Picker for Working Working Safe at at Heights Heights ry for Safe ange of Services: SERVICE AFTERCORKWE AFTER FARM PAINTERS, KILLEAGH, CO. CORK WE SERVICE of Services: ernge Hosing WE SERVICE ALL OVER THE MUNSTER tel: 021 4191250 CALL JOHN: 087 74 13353 Email: info@cfpfarmpainters.ie AFTER AFTER OXIDE GREEN ALL OVER THE er Hosing Shed Painting ORE BEFORE AFTER AFTER ORE BEFORE THE MUNSTER Cork Farm Painters, Blarney, AFTERALL OVER AFTERCo.Cork. T23XE2V www.corkfarmpainters.ie REGION Shed Painting WESTREGION CORK REGION Building Repairs AFTER AFTER Tel: 021 419 1250 / John: 087 741 3353 email: info@cfpfarmpainters.ie FULLY INSURED & REGISTERED CONTRACTORS AFTER AFTER Fully Insured & Registered Contractors. Building Repairs Painters, CorkFarm Farm Painters,Blarney, Blarney,Co.Cork. Co.Cork.T23XE2V T23XE2V eral Repairs such as - Sky Lights Cork / Timbers / Guttering www.corkfarmpainters.ie ral Repairs such as -Tel: Sky021 Lights / Timbers //Guttering 1250 John: 087 741 3353 info@cfpfarmpainters.ie Fully && Registered Contractors. Tel: 021419 419 1250 /Insured John: 087 741 3353email: email: info@cfpfarmpainters.ie w Cladding Sheeting Supplied and Fitted Fully Insured Registered Contractors. w Cladding Sheeting Supplied and FittedFully Insured & Registered Contractors. www.corkfarmpainters.ie mercial/Industrial Spray Spray Painting Painting www.corkfarmpainters.ie mercial/Industrial Insured && Registered Contractors. ry Picker Picker for for Working Working Safe Safe at at Heights Heights Fully ry Fully Insured Registered Contractors.

armyard Buildings Carefully Cleaned & Painted to the Highest Standard.

CORK FARM PAINTERS, KILLEAGH, CO. CORK

ORE ORE

TER

OPEN MON – FRI: 9AM – 6PM SAT: 9AM – 1 PM TEL: 023 8847206 / 8847501 Alex: 086 3888921

DRIMOLEAGUE

CONCRETE WORKS

Member of the Murnane & O’Shea Group. ISEN. 206-1:2002 approved.

FOR ALL YOUR REQUIREMENTS IN: • Readymix • Concrete Blocks • Precast • Sand and Gravel • Hardcore • Crushed Rock

028 31209 | 31322

tel: 021 4191250 CALL JOHN: 087 74 13353 Email: info@cfpfarmpainters.ie

BEFORE BEFORE Cork Farm Painters, Blarney, Co.Cork. T23XE2V www.corkfarmpainters.ie AFTER Tel: 021 419 1250 / John: 087 3353 email: info@cfpfarmpainters.ie FULLY INSURED & REGISTERED CONTRACTORS Fully Insured & 741 Registered Contractors. Cork Blarney, AFTER CorkFarm FarmPainters, Painters, Blarney,Co.Cork. Co.Cork.T23XE2V T23XE2V www.corkfarmpainters.ie Tel: / John: 087 741 3353 info@cfpfarmpainters.ie Fully && Registered Contractors. Tel:021 021419 4191250 1250 /Insured John: 087 741 3353email: email: info@cfpfarmpainters.ie Fully Insured Registered Contractors. Fullywww.corkfarmpainters.ie Insured & Registered Contractors.

As they grow so does your income

www.corkfarmpainters.ie

Fully FullyInsured Insured& &Registered RegisteredContractors. Contractors.

TER

New Holland, Ford & Fiat tractors

AFTER

As Asthey theygrow growso so Establishment cost does your income does your income covered by grant

TER

AFTER Cork Farm Painters, Blarney, Co.Cork. T23XE2V Tel: 021 419 1250 / John: 087 3353 email: info@cfpfarmpainters.ie Fully Insured & 741 Registered Contractors.

Earn premiums of up to €1142 per Ha/year x 20 years

www.corkfarmpainters.ie

Fully Insured & Registered Contractors.

Earn premiums of up to €1142 perper Ha/year x 20 years Earn premiums ofownership up to €1142 Ha/year x 20 years Retain full

Cork Farm Painters, Blarney, Co.Cork. T23XE2V Tel: 021 419 1250 / John: 087 3353 email: info@cfpfarmpainters.ie Fully Insured & 741 Registered Contractors.

www.corkfarmpainters.ie

Fully Insured & Registered Contractors.

of land and timber Establishment cost covered by by grant Establishment cost covered grant

Planting Forest Roads Forest Retain fullfull ownership of land andand timber Retain ownership of land timber Investment Thinning & Harvesting Land Sales Planting Forest Roads Planting Forest Roads Forest Forest Investment Investment Thinning & Harvesting Land Sales Thinning & Harvesting Land Sales

Michael Connelly

Donagh Twomey 086 2583773 087 2087629

For more information on the Forestry Programme including the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTA)

For more information onon thethe Forestry Programme OrFor visit our website: Freephone: more information Forestry Programme including the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTA) including the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTA)928 900 www.swsforestry.ie 1800

Or Or visit ourour website: visit website:

www.swsforestry www.swsforestry .ie.ie

Freephone: Freephone:

1800 1800928 928900 900

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Ireland and New Zealand continue to collaborate on tackling emissions MINISTER of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish TD, and New Zealand Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment Todd McClay, have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration on scientific innovation to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Minister Grealish highlighted that Joint Research Initiative projects have helped accelerate the understanding of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions: ‘Agriculture is at the heart of the Irish and New Zealand economies, and we share the common goal of lowering emissions in pasture-based farming, while supporting farmers to produce more sustainably. During my visit to New Zealand, I was delighted to meet with Minister Todd McClay and agree to the second phase of the Joint Research Initiative that will drive meaningful reductions in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.’ Minister McClay noted, ‘New Zealand and Ireland will continue to advance vital research to support the development of tools to give farmers options to tackle agricultural greenhouse gas emissions without reducing production.’

Eleven projects are underway in phase one of the Joint Research Initiative with joint investment of €19.65m/$34.5m. Minister Grealish visited a number of these projects during his New Zealand visit. New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will now identify further projects to progress. Separately, the Ministers also launched the new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA). The Strategic Plan has four priorities: advance scientific research, strengthen capacity and knowledge sharing, build effective collaboration and partnerships, and leverage financial and other resources. ‘The GRA aims to deepen and broaden research efforts in cropping, livestock, and paddy rice,’ Minister Grealish said. ‘It has brought together researchers from around the globe to collaborate on science and breakthrough solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I am delighted to launch the new Strategic Plan during Ireland’s period as Chair of the GRA with Minister McClay and GRA Special Representative Peter Ettema.’

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish TD, and New Zealand Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment, Todd McClay signing the joint statement to the second phase of the Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Initiative that will drive meaningful reductions in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

We’re celebrating 12 years of our West Cork Farming Awards THE SOUTHERN STAR SECTION 1 Saturday 30 auGuSt 2025

Keep1 up to date at www.southernstar.ie THE SOUTHERN STAR SECTION Saturday 6 May 2023

Keep up to date at www.southernstar.ie

THE SOUTHERN West Cork Farming West & Fisheries 17 STAR & Fisheries 17 CorkSaturday Farming 2 auguSt SECTION 1 2025

& Fisheries Farming & FisheriesFarm Farming ing West Cork

West Cork

Keep up

West Cork

ADVERTISE YOUR AGRI ADVERTISE YOUR AGRI BUSINESS TO 50,000 BUSINESS TO 50,000 READERS - CALL 028 21200 READERS - CALL 028 21200 advertising@southernstar.ie advertising@southernstar.ie

ies 17 ies 17 g & Fisher g & Fisher Farmin Farmin West Cork

to date at

www.southern

star.ie

West Cork

Farming

& Fisher

ies 17

THE SOUT & Fisherie HERN STAR West Cork Farming Awards AND CELTIC s ROSS L ‘WEST getlady’s readyinvaluable for their ninth year From datin JULY MONTHLY WINNER:HOTE ies Inishannon ies CARBERY CORK FARMING West Cork West Cork AWARDS’ MACR Fisher & Fisher& commitment to her community AWARDS’ Macra ha g to derogation A FARMING ‘WEST CORK s you cov , West Cork ROSS HOTEL ÚR, CLONAKILTY s AND CELTIC R: BÓ BAINNE ard ered Aw ERN STAR g WINNE min THE SOUTH APRIL MONTHLY 2023 k Far ired a th year st Cor WeTub nin video insp e ir the s & Fisherie You ready for West Co k busines How one get s rk family mil new nd get ready Farming Award bra 2023 for their s ninth yea r Keep up

to date at

tar.ie

www.southerns

Keep up

to date at

g ing Fainrm Farm

STAR SECTION 2025 THE SOUTHERN 19 aPrIL Saturday

nthly o m s ’ l i Apr nced u o n n a winner outhern in The S rsday u Star, Th pril 16th A

STAR SECTION THE SOUTHERN 6 May 2023 Saturday

THE SOUTHERN STAR AND CELTIC ROSS HOTEL ‘WEST CORK FARMING AWARDS’ AUGUST MONTHLY WINNER: MARY BUGLER, INNISHANNON

tar.ie

www.southerns

ADVERTI BUSINES SE YOUR AGRI READERSS TO 50,000 advertisin - CALL 028 21200 g@south ernstar.ie

E YOUR AGRI E YOUR AGRI ADVERTIS TO 50,000 ADVERTIS TO 50,000 BUSINESS - CALL 028 21200 BUSINESS - CALL 028 21200 READERS @southernstar.ie READERS @southernstar.ie advertising advertising

THE SOUTHERN Saturday STAR SECTION 28 JuNE 2025

Fa m Fanrm g THE SOUTHERN Saturday STAR 6 May 2023 SECTION Keep up 1 to date

THE ninth annual West Cork Farming Awards have been launched with nominations now invited for consideration from the community. The awards, which celebrate and champion the local agri-sector are following a different format this year. An awards panel comprising Southern Star and agricultural industry representatives will choose a monthly winner from May to October. The six winners could be someone doing something exceptional or pioneering on their own farm in whatever capacity or someone involved in agri-business or agri research

and development or it could also be someone involved in agri education. Essentially the panel are looking for individuals who, for a variety of reasons, are working to maintain and grow West Cork’s reputation as a region of farming excellence. A Hall of Fame award will also be announced by judges, along with a Farm Family of the Year award. This award was introduced last year and the hugely popular winners were the Lucey family from Canovee, near Macroom. Once again this year, families are invited to submit short videos (just over a minute) to showcase themselves and their farms, including all

generations, and even four-legged members of the family! At a gala lunch in November, the overall winner will be announced. The lunch will take place in the Celtic Ross Hotel, which has been a partner of the awards from the very beginning. The awards were launched at a breakfast presentation attended by sponsors and local agri businesses at the Celtic Ross Hotel. Southern Star managing director Sean Mahon said the awards were all about championing those involved in West Cork farming, and recognising their contribution. ‘Each month we will celebrate

these people,’ he said. The awards, he said, continue to be enormously popular and unique. ‘Building on the local goodwill that exists for the awards, we felt the time was right to introduce a new format for the process this year,’ he said. Neil Grant, manager of the Celtic Ross, said the awards were designed to ‘give credit where it’s due.’ • If you would like to nominate someone to be considered for a monthly award, email awards@southernstar.ie or call 028-21200. • See next week’s Southern Star to find out our May winner.

at www.southern

star.ie

Keep up

to date at

www.southern

ing

In association with

West Cork

star.ie

Farming

& Fisher West Corkies 15 Farmi

ng & Fisher

ion with

In associat

2023

In associa

tion with

Fa m Fang m ng

THECork NEWfarming AWARDS FORMAT Why we support West

g ng Fanm Fa m

g S FORMAT AWARD farmin NEW

Why

THE Cork t West we suppor

Thank you

southernsta

6443.indd

s sponso you to our rs and partner to our sponso Thank

Thank you to our sponsorsThank and you to our sponsors Whypartners

we suppo rt West Cork

southernstar.ie/farmingawards

r.ie/farm

ingawards

farming

Thank you

Fa m Fanm g ng W

to our spons ors and

partners

THE NEW

southerns tar.

AWARD S FORMA T

Thank you

ie/farm

ingawards

6443.indd

southerns tar.

ie/farm

to our spons ors

ingawa rds 03/05/2023

See the Southern Star’s farming pages from April to November as we announce our monthly award winners from across West Cork farming life, agri-business and education.

ies 17

ADVERTI BUSINES SE YOUR AGRI READERSS TO 50,000 advertisin - CALL 028 21200 g@south ernstar.ie

to he said. these people,’ he said, continue four-legged The awards, popular and unique. and even enormously the local goodwill generations,the family! the on the be of also be ‘Building the awards, we felt members lunch in November, or it could exists for to introduce a new At a gala and development in agri education. will be announced. the that Cork Farm- someone involved panel are looking overall winner take place in a time was right process this year,’ of the will with been annual West for the Essentially for a variety The lunch which has very format THE ninth have been launched consid- for individuals who, to maintain Celtic Ross Hotel, of the Celtic from the he said. ing Awards now invited for manager as the awards are working award Neil Grant, awards were designed partner of community. and reasons, West Cork’s reputation at a April monthly nominations said the due.’ celebrate are and grow by from the beginning. eration CONNOLLY were launched by Ross, credit where it’s somefarming excellence. also be BY EMMA attended sponsored The awards, which The awards to ‘give agri-sector this a region of Fame award will Your West Cork, Your Community, Your Southern Star a like to nominate was presentation businesses the local THE ninth for a monthly along with If you would A Hall of Cahalane champion a different format a considered This breakfast and local agri Southern • by judges, ing Awards annual West Cork MICHAEL YouTube clip of one to be Hotel. announced of the Year award. and sponsors following a year Celtic Ross Sean Manominationshave been launchedFarm- and what gets you through it,’ she watching advertising a milk award, email star.ie year. director panel compris- Farm Familyintroduced last were the at the development his with all about eration from now invited said. UK farmer he had in awards@southern An awardsStar and agricultural award was Star managing winners for consid- someone involved or it could to awards were in West lightalso be will choose the hugely popular Canovee, near hon said the Her advice to young people, vending machine The awards,the community. or call 028-21200.Southern Star in agri education. ing Southern Essentially he had his from generations, those involved their week’s to Ocwhich celebrate representatives champion in particular those who have yard when • See next May winner. championing and recognising for individualsthe panel are Lucey family industry winner from May and even members looking four-legged following the local agri-sector and reasons, families are Cork farming, ty senior title in 2004 and as just received their Leaving ‘The milk quota regime was improve conditions for farmBY EMMA CONNOLLY bulb moment. find out our of who, for by Tom PemMacroom. a monthly this year, a different At a gala the family! a variety are working these people,’ being are and year. ‘It was a video videos (just contribution. a result of that, our member Cert results, is to keep their around the time I got mar- ers, along with ‘wonderful August monthly Once again of lunch tober. we will celebrate format could be someone I remember piothemsubmit short this a grow West Cork’s to maintain overall winner in November, The awards,he said. Elaine Burke was captain of options open. FROM driving a tractor down ried to Bernard, a garda, so we leaders’. ‘Each month An awards berton and by the idea, and The six winnersexceptional or Carbery invited to region of to showcase the will be all Your West The lunch reputation award sponsored by the Macra members farming announced. be enormously he said, continue ing Southern panel All-Ireland winning se‘There’s a lot of high achievThat saw her, among many Dublin’s Grafton Street to be- made the decision to change really struck “Why can’t I do farm in what- over a minute) farms, including Cork, Your will doing something A Hall of excellence. as Celtic popular Star and comprisgathered on their own to involved and their Community, Ross Hotel,take place in industry ‘Building and nior title in 2005,’ said Mary ers out there, but not everying part of an over-night sit-in, from dairy to beef and later other things, take part in asking myself BY EMMA and unique. neering agricultural announced Fame award will earlier this the representatives or someone research selves partner on which has Your Southern CONNOLLY Bishopstown would a monthly on of the awards proudly. one can be a high achiever, so in an EU building in the capi- sucklers and sheep in the late a tractor protest in Dublin that?”.’ year to mark ever capacity Farm Familyby judges, along also be beginning. been a that exists for thethe local goodwill or agri will valid reasondad-of- Bandon, and operating Star winner time was from the awards, tober. their 1985 with One very of the Year a from May choose award She is currently the liaison I’d like young people to know when she was still part of Matal, Mary Bugler isn’t afraid 80s,’ she said. parks RURAL in agri-business ‘Macra we felt the very format Ballincollig right to basis, that he’s appearance was award. Thisa The awards to OcWest Cork plays a officer for the referees, and that there’s so many direcThe six winners Mary was very open minded cra, and take part in a protest to stick her head above the have been a dairy farmer with a fully automated a very different around the hugely introduced last big part for the introduce a new would be in keeping in RTÉ’s were launched process year and breakfast presentation he said. popular Access Community doing something could be organises matches at Cork tions their lives can go in, to parapet, in the name of fair about farming and willing to in 2010 over a European agri three, and by most people’s at various locations in the area, people living ganisation out the Star this year,’ winners at someone Lucey family so presence place withwere the sponsors and staying attended a neering exceptional Neil and today was set up in 1944 Your Southern camogie board level take away the pressure, and change, according to circum- issue, and protest in the capiplay and progress. from Canovee, 300 cows, it would have been Clonakilty. their users Feirme, Television. of Macra Macroom. on their by Ross, Grant, manager at the Celtic local agri it works: represents says Carbery fell na with communities, part of munity ever capacity own farm or pioYour Community, near Mary was also a key figure to realise that it’s not all about It’s that same, roll-up-the- stances. But she wasn’t will- tal over CAP reforms in 2013. standards said the ra member of the Celtic (Photo Anne if the idea Here’s how a bottle if they Ross Hotel.businesses Cork, a comOnce again playing their of Star managing Macawards were or someone in what- invited to ‘give credit and in agri-business Your West Minihane) this in the restoration of Innis- the titles after the name,’ etc. Withoutlocal GAA clubs ple from 13,500 young peosleeves attitude that saw her ing to let policymakers ride In recognition of her service, understandable Young Farming July monthly place the simply choose designed director Southern • If hon said involved rural Ireland. to submit year, families At the West Cork Farming Awards launch in thechair CelticofRoss in Rosscarbery ThursdayMeanwhile, were above: Mary Burke, its Hotel Macra last or agri you would where it’s due.’ Sean Mafour and need to, and thenof the milk the awards to hannon’s local hall, and helps she said. And she encouragwould establish Valley Rovers camo- roughshod over the farming Mary is now an honorary by the wayside. Group (YFDG), Development award sponsored the look very research over a minute) short videos are championing areaLeft:Carbery The SouthernChristopher Star and Andysaid. Donoghue, Hodnett Forde. Noel Finneran,the Bandon Codoor by 5.30pm were one to be like to nominate But undeterred, different,’ where needed at the annual es people to getLudgate involvedHub; in Sean Mahon, MD, member of the IFA. gie club in the late 80s and community. McCarthy. to showcase (just Cork selves and thriving those involvedall about at least later, Michael bottle in the if you want considered being finished someMacraand Hugh by Op;when Aoifeand Healy-O’Driscoll, Carbery Group; Ciara Sheehan, Drinagh Co-Op; Eleanor Hayes, he Lisavaird farming, their farms, award, email for dinner them13 clubs,Co-Op vintage steam rally festival. their communities, Bernard and Mary were a half years Sally Kearney machine, choose tap or pay Like many of her generahelp develop it into a club that comprises for a monthly in West Carbery A dairy farmer contribution. and recognising get to Cork a week and now including wife (Allnine photos: awards@southe of Andy the or 500mls, Úr, a moSuffice to say Mary is not where they can. Holland, Barryroe Co-Op. Christopher and his now plays at Intermediate tion she joined Bandon Ma- parents of five, three boys and whichGibson) all in Ballineen, ing its 77thMacra is celebrat- currently their wait for three times a point to sit down are Bó Bainne operates a litre ‘Each month rnstar.ie anniversary or call 028-21200. Innishannonactive, and then year, and ‘I’ve made friends around launched cra na Feirme, a very strong two girls, and it was a busy for the girls, so we set about found wanting to support a level. played, and said Macra we will we all make dinner. I’d be up truck that this everywhere and between has hosting has the ted coinsto fill. continues celebrate • See next week’s for in cause, sell tickets, crank up the country through the varbile milk sorting that out!’ she said. household. club, in 1961 where her leadMary, a retired farmer, Beara a sweet honour vital a milk to together the annual role in with of almost inbetween, and I’m a believer Southern find out retaining play, Feirme from a specially-conver The club has gone from the burco boiler, or as she says ious groups I’ve been part of. Mary acknowledges the modestly and matter-of-factly ership skills were recognised younger For those the option of our May I can to 700 with by 6am but national Macra na in generation. the in locawinner. Star to finish when It’s great to feel you have a horsebox. says that if she sees a gap, she and honed. She was a keen great support of her moth- strength to strength over the herself, ‘fill a gap’. conference age from members ranging October. sight in tooth, there’s flavour to an early for family,’ he said. Milk 17 to 35. A familiarWest Cork, they choosing a syrup flavours a Interestingly, across all the contact wherever you go, and responds to it. It’s as simple debater and mentor, and has er and Bernard, who sadly years, winning four county ‘Macra offers The national cows. Inset: make time Bainne has been with drama, it’s not just ing, voluntary of his jersey tions aroundtheir first year in add to the milk, Nutella, and fond memories of this time passed last year, which en- titles and a Munster league ti- areas she helps out in, she of- having that support network as that. start. And Bó Rae & Instagram.com) for farmers or- of agri competitions, debatwith some from the as a ‘Macra celebrated February, and are like chocolate, Born and bred in Innis- including a three-in-a-row win abled her to get out to meet- tle, and many members of the ten encounters the same peo- was especially noticed after all kinds, either. (Photos: Nicola sports break family affair not in Michael Cahalane music, and Burke,and continue her work club have worn the Cork jer- ple and they all have one thing Bernard’s death.’ concern doesn’t is for everyone; a career name it business hannon where she still lives, in the efficiency competition get rn for members if she’s sick, Kinder Bueno.bottle is taken matter and Macrajiving. You saw Sally took above: Mary ings on expanding Cobeing dispensed. worker to were the if you neverit moment via an app it,’ said planning Bainne van on the in common: Macra. When she’s not volunteersey, including Mary’s daughBandon off-farm. at Cork Show in 1968, 69 and she grew up on a mixed farm support etc.’ has with a at When cow sepautomatiThursday is the heat done family the difficulty Finneran, about,’ she on three ting planning machine e the run- last you don’t in your life and running Sara, eating, in much going on aljoined 12 Christopher, Th user. having a Bó coming weeks. ‘It’s the same circle of peo- ing, her hobbies include play70, which was never before which she tookin over and Hugh‘When Bernard retired ter Liz. Left: Noel Rosscarbery out, the or 26, said. Rachel, Below: who things up Co-Op ‘I’m milking and employ Forde. the next van. Gibson) permissionget- Innishannon, Rae) With so between know the differenceif their own was 18. years ago when Hodnett Madeleine, playing a Ross road in the brought his nov- cally cleans for clever idea! Fellow founding member ple all the time, that would ing cards, and she laments ning of Hotel from the young age done. the motivation & Nicola their milk Hayes, Lisavaird(All photos: Andyfrom An Garda Síochána in land.’ on father a cow are committed children he Our all farms withfrom Clockwise Donoghue, arate blocks,to milk in each ready, what’s to not in front ofin the Celtic sure you Michael He refutes Instagram.com Instagra help from Such a simple but to be an 14 and Dennis, 11 ‘I joined of 16.Andy and message and a bullock! and milking Co-Op; Eleanor She was also a key player in 1998 he was probably doing Mary Crowley said Mary was have come up through Macra. the fact that many card drives (Photos: Star dad-of-three and Michael Awards launch herds: a life with but 110% not going Kilmeen Drinagh childminder. also works her cy’ finalists.from above: the has been recent three people Sally some people the idea come along. to anyone ter agricultural Farming el idea to called Unison in too!The Southern Sheehan, ‘My father Daniel, originally reforming the Innishannon more of the farming than me. I a tireless worker for the club: It’s a great training ground didn’t resume after Covid Macra I have two and a for the Bó Bainne because it’she said. Michael as a McCarthy, Back: Cork that is to love it MD, vital role. but in location. herd might regard TheAtSouthern cowsMahon, the West Sean Michael 1979 Barryroe ‘I joined just continue late father plans road,’ Group; Ciara from Bantry, died in 1963 so branch of the IFA in the early had brilliant backup and I sup- ‘She has been a constant sup- for people to get involved with lockdowns. She also enjoys college. af- might even Who knows, you Macra as all his life a company desire to purebred Jersey Macra ‘EfficienWinning and Michael Dinneen, Macra around Michael he’s Hub; being a My band l, Carbery find a wife award has I feel easy leen Lawton, them cows was driven by a to grow it? Conor have been and mother would little old years ago and Jersey. Limerick. playing Bridge locally. Long term, pose looking back I had a lot port and tireless worker and is their community.’ along with my mother Mary 90s. of hearts farming Ludgatesaid or hus- fashioned. in the to 80 – and told six Christopher year Healy-O’Driscol Kathleen Dullea. Front: Ann Dullea, Michael new friends have so many ‘In my heartin this country is to reduce his herd will retain Star it all worthwhile, some clubs process. In Op; Aoife Co-Op. tain Macra involved in Kilbrit‘Far from ‘I rang them months lat- diversify. is used exclusiveBal- cross-bred Mary no longer farms and Winning The Southern Star a brilliant role model for all its of energy and just took it all in ‘A group of us got togeth(Manning), I ran the farm Top: Mary Bugler with her family; the Innishannon lady has Lawton, in in farm McCarthy, fact, Six Barryroe farm it McCarthy, made ‘One and Geraldine on a Ann Buckley, a time sive, forwardit. It’s a progres- Macra. It’s now thanks nearly moreup the country Holland, that farming ing about so I grew up hearIrish Yogurts Eihopeful Ireland my vision. back to me and misses it at times. However, monthly farming award was a always been active in her community. (Photos: John Allen) which was her home place. er in response to a particular my stride! Farming was very members.’ ‘I grew up Clonakilty an invaluable to nascarthy, – and concen- Michael. are Dunnes in trouble. Once upon way to not to supply it,’ Caheragh,2025 chairman McCarthy. recognition thinking to stay at this stage!’like dating clubs ber-driven er they got came up with lymacowen, neardone a lot of ly who make Farming he said. Mary, who actually never she feels it’s difficult for any- ‘big surprise.’ My late sister Angela would local issue and reformed the different back then though; Carbery connected memway Jer‘It’s superb like ours and at the Carberyand Anne O’Donoghue, an enjoyable there’s its derogation we on the business Clonakilty with his Macra. – a she said. have people whoorganisation. to people,’ Parkway Hotel Better Irish was such Ciara O’Regan, Jokes aside,he laughed. together ‘I thought I had gone past have helped out as well. Even branch as it had lapsed,’ she when you came in from the played camogie herself, was one embarking on a career in but now partner trate more thoroughly enjoy- for a start-up Only Macra 60th and would to keep dairy unit BY EMMA as a youngster. Stores Simplysaid. inCONNOLLY BalliDunmanway would think are not part If you would like to suggest someone to be considered for a many he’s All roads match that make a living a member, who is regulations motivation a modular prefabricated relief milking celebrations that stage of my life now and yard in the evening, you were also very involved at county farming in this day and age. when I was still at school I said. of it carbery to Darrara also in Milk,’ he will lead cows de- so many rules and potentially which in April 2009. has been is the of is great forward,’ he said. in the monthly farming award, please contact us by email on that as well Christopher As well that,’ he said. to RossMacra! nine-metreI have behind our After school I went and after seyHe chose Jersey ‘It’s very expensive to I really wasn’t expecting that It wasn’t long before this finished, unlike now. There’s level and was the competition helped out and really enjoyed made over JOHN Joe said moving reasons: that I think could and ing. unexpected benefit for life, you as making friends Bank Holiday the October benefits, as having practical However, awards@southernstar.ie or call 028 21200 for two getting unit which pasteurises milk Agricultural College ‘An it and I was delighted to be in tour-de-force was recognised an awful lot more involved secretary and vice-chairman get a start. By the time you at all! It is much appreciated,’ agriculture,from 18% bulldozer Kelleher bought a few different liberately Weekend Bó has been people. through can learn life skills the group which the order business is milk that’s outlet. it’s a brilliant social destroy Irish when he people house which of the Cork camogie board. stock the farm and invest in said Mary. the position to take it on,’ she by county IFA executive and with all the regulations.’ when new Macra that I managed also with a bank like to suggest was just a of the Jersey cows, ‘They produce compared discourage young The bottom Bainne from above: Kelly, Carbery Sean Dennehy, Brian you wouldn’t see Monthly award winners could be a farmer, someone working conference hosts the national his role ‘My father too. 18, ‘It’s important If you would be considered from my into the vending farms,’ he said. meet so manyhow isolating machinery, What would the grandShe was also involvedBandon in the mart; Mary Louise is synonymous with Group; Mary served sixClockwise years on the remembers. loan of £30,000, he wasn’t higher in protein as chair day and in and had in the Celtic Jersey involved. to easy to Southern Star; Finbarr Credit Union; Hughes, Access McCarthy, Hotel. in agri-business, agri-entrepreneurship, a farming of the YFDG, an absolutely Timothy Christopher it not married his that we’re then goes a couple of hundred thousand mother-of-seven like her legofTony the CarrigCork camogie, andO’Shea, she was Bantry a establishment sheep Mary worked through many organisation’s national someone cow breeds.proteins gettingthat I think we’re this – you Ross I didn’t realise Highly ambitious, farming just three fully paid back not owningway. to other brilliant was A2 Union; Grainne Hurley, Teagasc and James Daly,division Access with Creditthe Union. Hughes, debate was before ‘We expect gation fears says that dero- er, thanks and that farmers to the farm, organisation or even someone involved in education or line is years. in machine.’ for a monthly contact euro. So, that’s difficult, and acy to be? dhoun late Tony founding member of Valley on animal major milestones in the agri committee, sixCredit fencsome modifi- going to let also contains in his to Macra. and the to farmingdo the same thing the That says in the climate are realise and FInbarrclub O’Shea, Bantry Credit Union. Margaret Su- people can see there’s ple to attend at least 700 won’t get There weredone along the own land stand period he milk have anti-inflammatoall research and development. The awards panel is looking for You Sinead moment. a real issue at learn so much, ‘That I did what I could to Forbes in 1994, and isO’Rourke, the younger Rovers camogie in 1987 – Jim on the Credit beef Union sector including the change health, and six Access award, please on peotend to our targets petite for a lot about his it was important an extra that they be Murphy, of same peopleenergisand have can phenomenal which will perValu Clonakilty; Maire Bank of Ireland Clonakilty; Michael Deasy,probably Bank ofeasier ways to make help out along the way, that’s Carberyexamples liant opportunities and make ing on working so I felt ap2CL by stay‘If we lose us by email a seven year zero to which cations to Colm honorary president of Carrigagain afterMcCarthy, seeing ‘a gap.’ of great work, innovation and overall from horses to tractors, and committee. meet the with Dept briland his hard work, his drive, McCarthy, economic be a nstar.ie especial- diversify,’ he said. Macra, with the derogation, too,’ he for Over Ireland meetSkibbereen. Neil Grant, Manager, Celtic dhoun Ross Hotel; Emma Connolly, Deputy Editor, herd from his lo- ry properties Michael time. It’s been really new facit will decimate ambition, so important all hours. to travel for the area,’ to digest, way to comply money, but then others have a it really. And that I enjoyed Feirme Camogie. ‘My sons played hurling and andand As well as attending the introduction of milk boost contribution to West agricultural life. said. as that, all traits theCork farming regulations Bó grew his Elizabeth awards@souther It’s agriculture which are TJ are so many land in milk easier who are lactose Seanbut Mahon, MD nothing Southern Star . 21200 to get As well ‘And an said Christopher. the Terelton the yard, West Chairperson but Ryan, farmers launch of Maher (secondnational president renting Agriculture ‘Carrigdhoun won the coun- real love of farming, and that’s every minute of it too.’ football there was ings, she activelySouthern advocatedStar to and quotas. ing meeting or call 028 new stories,’ applied awful lot and Macra outside to-toe and we standCork Macra ly for those their commemorat happy that from left) of Macra mar- 300, of Carbery too!’ takers.’ to the huge man has liant place of fun dairy production, is a briles and hearing that mental with du- isn’t in na toe- that Rachel Bateman of organisations cality. sells at four to be ‘price number intolerant. award winners issue,’ he all farmers on ive book August 1999, at also a very that to broaden to pick up ideas, required business I can sell he said, adding Bainne nowweek, Clonakilty, Monthly said ed by being this Star winning The he’s said. 50 Years the ‘But they’refor a large scale and get was something ‘With my farmer, someone make friendsyour mind and Southern ‘We’re the of Macra. care of. kets each monthly a part of benefitIf you would Cork. could be a to ral At the West backbone in West rable animallike mine. Irish my produce directlyis fair and health need to take for life,’ was brilliant farming award of agri-business, Contrary like to suggest farmers of ruCork Farming working in to popular he said. ant Ireland and it’s Ludgate rship, been conscious recognition operation would typically a price that I think someone They include contact the feedback He’s always that we import- the group and opinion, Feirme, to Macra agri-entrepreneu us by email Op; AoifeHub; Sean Mahon,Awards launch be considered are seen The new format will work as follows: dairy farmsblock, but I need right for it and the entire of ganisation. It’s also a work life balance. a stand the the na organisation, MICHAEL in the Celtic ed Ireland’s first large-scale GP Wood’s roots stretch back on awards@south orDairygold, IFA,for times of on issues. to take Cork Monthly Holland, Healy-O’Driscoll, MD, The Southern a farming shows or the a monthly be on one can do a lot of the has been brilliant. Marts, and Eibhlín Ross ‘It really award winners West Another Barryroe ‘At different seven days ohane, Keohane commercial biomass CHP to 1977, and as a company agri-entreprene farming ernstar.ie way to share • an awards panel comprising Southern Star and agricultural industry representatives Keagricultural involved a cow that Co-Op. Carbery Group; Star and AndyHotel in Rosscarbery award, please and are eas- been a good out there helps put the word could beER, and his parishCork LEADor it’s non-stop, the calving research urship, plant. This plant produces with almost 50 years’ expeReadymix Ciara Sheehan, Donoghue, At Keohane milk is produced aThe as to what farmer, will choose six ‘West Cork Farming’ monthly award winners who will be recognised council.call 028 21200 it, year once and development.a farming work themselves, I common even someone someone story of how he said. goes into we’re all Hodnettlast Thursday week, but believe that Readymix, organisation 2.5 MW of electricity to which rience, we intrinsically unDrinagh or research theme involvement is finished a working for their outstanding contribution the farming sector in our region we ily managed,’ of pretty much and the work that amount of a Co-Op; EleanorForde. Left: were above: Mary for hisin agri-business, farming or even management, in education The and overall The awards improve bit of been a is sold to the national grid, is his derstand the importance of and breeding Noel Finneran, someone ‘I take care outside that which a surprising desire involved Burke, to take a cornerstonehas long Hayes, Lisavaird contribution panel is looking effluent tainment, life and for and development. to else manage West Cork andwinners 6 MW ofcould thermal long-term planning and pre• monthly award be energy. a farmer, someone working in agri-business, Bandon forconditions of the in education tofor is looking examples people and heavy conWest with do everything feeding etc,’ he people don’t know.’ said. Co-Op and Cofrom machinery Cork living of great fact, it was economy and awards panel great work, HEADLINE In embracing thisorganisation new or paring for the future. These business, farming break!’ he good habits over wear in rural agri-entrepreneurship, a farming or even involvedSPONSOR in education or Cork, and (All photos: Hugh from calving, of in and West up the farming Brian A year in the stock, are agricultural work, innovation and live‘I built munity we show in a very are values that we share with examples Andy Gibson) plans underway, evidence there’s plenty research andtechnology, development. The panel will be looking for examples of great work, as Sally andCork comBandon mart; that HEADLINE life. said. and overall ing life all factors of farmin two blocks: expansion advice to show to a farmof years too Access foundations helped build Dennehy, real way contribution our commitment farmers right across West the innovation from that that Cork April Sean he’s innovation and overall to West Cork farming and agricultural life. He calves Hughes, his to the and more, moved Susan Grainger at GP Wood to continually looking to the 1st done to West Group; Tony Hughes, and durable demand robust SPONSOR We began of our business. Cork, and as farming has six years kids only of diversifying: Carberywhat’s including nating land life. contribution Union. Tony Credit Union; materials. mid-Sepfrom February in the 1970s West Cork why we fromKelly, agricultural er thinking stick to it.O’Rourke, Louise in the a farm Part commitare future. changed in Ireland immeas- us that our customers That’s and Credit city toSuwinner willofbethat profi led in the Southern Star newspaper and across our Access • each monthly also Bantry tional school to the local dodeveloped and then O’Shea, a plan farming and construction from 10thabove: as ations built a house time in agoBank ; Finbarr He Agrimix, Margaret na‘MakeDaly, – we of Keohane Star pany, working November. to allow and James ment includes preserving the have evurably in the last decades, supported so theydigital Clockwise Southern expansion. platforms was a long and invest I he can coma Bó Union. Credit Teagasc Editor, tember toHurley,where and Deasy, for its everything. point of Michael Bainne in the tech- crete mix specialist conDeputy local farmers directly with nology and HEADLINE with a renewed focus on sus- erything they need to know, natural world and respecting middle of but SallyConnolly, McCarthy, uses Clonakilty; up: ‘IBantry technology back John Joe, engineered Grainne made a pipeline Ireland FInbarr O’Shea, SPONSOR us forward people that drive own lab to with the of six winners, the panel will also choose • along remote we got there and who is Terelton frastructure. to improve So I always ourannouncement raw materials and so,monthly we reap the tainability and environmen- to understand and Bank ofthe Credit Union;toUnion born and andEmma Hotel; provide meet the in our today. We in- erate Ross going tags whichCeltic also be McCarthy, kept land’s entry Following ofinFame’are and ‘Farm Family of the year’ unique committed to working in award winners as an tal protection, we are pleased benefits of timber ‘Hall manager Access Credituse cowMaire now op- requirements of 14 and bred, is the eldest You must state-of-the-art . IreFitBits on in Star of the end. like Manager, Neil Grant, across Westto the EU, farms mix plants to share our commitment valuable material on the a manner that is responsible perValu Clonakilty; me ready- roadways, milkingfarmyards, passion always had a shared MD tellsSouthern are basicallyMahon, and quarries for will be invited to a gala awards lunch held at the Celtic Ross Hotel at livestock • all award winners Ballygurteen, parlours, modernise Cork began ear which Sean his Skibbereen. Ireland in its energy use, minimising to renewable materials and farm. machinery both farming cow’s buildings, in more. to bring to Dunmanway, Innishannon, theand and we Clockwise theproud end of 2023, where they where will be presented with a trophy and certifi cate Rae) Star which saw and to this Southern waste, recycling posAt GP Wood we are do our part to support the It fully in Limerick and working growing responded Rosscarbery, Clonakilty, (Photo: Nicola McCarthy, from above: Louise him Department complies with ducing with a company and we use only raw farming community in their of our continued investment from his with a contractor and Southern ready-mixneed, pro- one • the winner ofsible, the ‘2023 Overall West Cork Farming Award’ will be announced at of Agriculture Kelly, Carbery Credit Union; serving early to support Star; Finbarr Michael worked climate commitments. Pro- in the latest technological materials from sustainably concrete from homebuilders every- specifications ‘I left schoolteens. , which the gala lunch Access CreditGrainne Hurley, must for O’Shea, Group; Sean Dennehy, That led this development. major construction vision to life. managed forests. viding direct employment to processes in both engineerto go farming when I was Bantry Credit grant-aided is a to Teagasc Union to the formation but perValu Bandon of Keohane and and bought 15 Asto farmers find the ways2023 to West Cork Farming Award monthly systems, 150 people, and another 250 ing and automatedWe the farming projects, construction. In farm Union; Clonakilty; and FInbarr industry representatives look forward announcing farmers work as follows: Ireland Skibbereen. O’Shea, James Daly, Access Tony Hughes, mart; Brian 1979, our will Readymix the mains a Maire McCarthy, sector re- ther, Paddy and on a and agricultural who will be recognised work within new guideatIf you in forestry operations, we are and both of our facilities, West Cork’s format Bantry faStar winners. would like to nominate someone to be considered for a monthly priority. Ltd, new from Keohane, Access journey Credit Scally’s The Credit Southern Southern Bank of Union. Tony Our team ed the company us grow that’s seen of over 100 award winners foundlines and directives, are on awards@southernstar.ie embedded in the West Cork Enniskeane and Lissarda, Star and Neil Grant, Manager, a sense farming award, please contact uswe by email and producers, our region Ireland Union. Margaret comprising monthly from staff includes goal of panel fosters Sean Mahon, sector in ily-run businessa small, fam- extended Farming’ pleased to continually evolve use some of the most community. Celtic Ross Clonakilty; Michael O’Rourke,Hughes, providing with the • an awards six SuperValu ormodern call 028 21200. family and ‘West Cork and sustainMD Southern to the farming ity construction high-qualSuwe consider in agri-business, Hotel; Emma West Cork’s into one Deasy, Bank As one of Ireland’s largest wood processing techniques our own practices and join HEADLINE those or workingSPONSOR contribution Scallys will choose of community years, Scally’sas a of whom Star. family, to farmers Connolly, most materials in education someone involved of FOR 40 suppliers suppliers of sawn softwood found in Europe today. We West Cork farmers on their all AIB is delighted live and has stood Deputy Editor, a farmer, ability. Moreover, SPONSOR for their outstanding of concrete,trusted communities beproduceven orHEADLINE to local of great work, work in of and we’ve in West Cork, support SuperValu and aggregates. products, we understand the have state-of-the-art facili- journey, working on the land sponsor blocks to winners couldthe local the doing been pillar of dedication organisation for examples life. the West surrounding we serve in From the steadfast and local proginning, that ever dedicated to importance of the materi- ties for kiln drying, machin- as we did in the past, but algen• monthly award Cork Farming rship, a farming will be looking the and agricultural ers invigorates befarmers since. We’re The new our The panel demand. The revenue for farmers at the heart have been gion. We’ve West Cork re- proud to sponsor al as a valuable renewable ing, and timber treatment, ways with an eye to the fuCork farming across agri-entrepreneu Awards, format and West Cork. evproducts West economy. Lamb in to spent over of our local Cork will work and development. years the and pig ducers sector’s from of our resource. It is important to and in 2005, we construct- ture. contribution celebratewhich Star newspaper • anprices research erated 45 rightlyFarming Awards, West as follows: trust and story. The farmers,working alongside awards panel in the commuSuperValu ‘In the midst and overall have also the abled us the Southern that honours world, where best of farming led in of and gaining innovation is reinvestedinbe comprising growth to expandloyalty en- understanding profi Eoghan Scally, choose mainedwillrewill the er-changing chains have our opera deep tion, dedication,the innovaSouthern aiding six ‘West in West winner will also choose nity, and proforfirm, Clonakilty. work of Cork and of the monthly Cork Farming’ Star and their outstanding pressures while milk the panel global supplysevere presWest Cork’sand hard • eachshelf highlight agricultural winners, small businesses they face. daily families, prominent of opportunities. prices op-platforms monthly contribution monthly award come under industry sixsee Silage • monthly digital By offeringpromotional of to at sector for this vital all values farming have importance moting job representative award winners to the farming winners and admire. Ross Hotel continued award we share sure, the local producers announcement the year’ is encouraging space and Scallys ensures says agri AIB, ofbusiagri-entrepren winners could at the Celtic cate with the‘It sector in who will be recognised s Cork Family advisor their steady supportingbeen more apWest • along ‘Farm lunch held the atour region be a portunities, Shane McCarthy. certifi get many 6443.indd 17 03/05/2023 17:25 eurship, soand research in national Scally a farming farmer, someone recovery to a gala awardswith a trophy and ‘Hall of Fame’ has never thriving local producers at ‘Agriculture after and development. nesseswill organisation be invited markets, says Eoghan we deserve. working innovation parent,’ be announced in agri-business, winners late 2023. hitting a low will be presented is a cornertention they local proThe panel or even stone of ‘At Scallys and international Award’ will in and overall contribution • all awardof 2023, involved where they to the our business, will be looking (pictured).the significance Supporting ticularly • each monthly With in education ourCork Farming and is testament on just a matter the end for to West in new SME par- lising input costs recognise produced Overall West winner will ducers isn’t local agriculCork farmingexamples of great or ing through but a strastabidigital quality and lendthe ‘2023says Eoghan. of Award monthly be profi of nurturing production our branches and agricultural work, trending output prices platforms of convenience,that•reaps around led in the the winner doorstep,’ food of change, West Cork Farming for a monthly the Southern ture and proud to continue tegic decision • along life. incomes upwards, Environ- lunch In these times the 2023 farmwith the In Cork country. stands to be considered Star newspaper benefits. theisgala HEADLINE rnstar.ie on alone, agriculand we’re of the SuperValu increase are expected to announcing forsomeone ‘Hall to manifold ture accounts Scally’s of Fame’ announcement and across nominate on awards@southe likeoftosupport our sponsorship of six monthly and ‘Farm We look forward in 2025. across all sectors SPONSOR for around mental consciousness beacon 40% of our Cork Farming consumers as awould us by email you farming Family of our contact 2025 West rise, with prod- If the please with some SME lending, the year’ winners, the panel West Cork As we move • all award winners 17:25 towardswinners.award, Su- the By fostering award winners Awards.’ 03/05/2023 intothe will also main production farming 21200. at Scally’s gravitating lower carbon seeing evenrural branches theend of 2023, will be invited Scally’s choose a 028 community. The shelves higher figshowcase where they to a gala awards of the year, or callloucts with Safeguarding relationship, of our ures. proudly • months the winner in this will be presented lunch held the pride perValu the sector confidence footprint. of local proDespite of the ‘2023 also assists showcase and look forin is improving, the gala with a trophyat the Celtic Ross a wide array the vibrant but ongoing Overall West cal producers security into the sector the challenges lunch with producers Hotel at and certifi food trade uncerduce, displaying Cork Farming celebrating tainties ensuring especially given and the faced in 2024, cate the region. We look ward to West Cork and increasingly adverse Award’ will bounty of cheeses forward the 2025 the future, of global events experienced storms them at to announcing winners. be announced From artisanal Awards. in spring If eggs, fresh the impactchains. 2025, the at the 2023 Farming farming you would like year so to free-range and fish, West Cork award, please to nominate on supply also brought far has products meat, or call 028 Farming someone contact the true produce, By sourcing Award monthly tives. Beef strong posi21200. us by email to be considered to fork’. prices Scallys champion on awards@south record ‘from farm for a highs in reached spirit of early 2025, driven by ernstar.iemonthly strong global

17:25

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

World reversible ploughing champion Jer Coakley from Rossmore taking part in the 81st Bandon Ploughing Association ploughing match recently.

(Photo: Andy Gibson)

Southern Star | West Cork Farming Spring 2026

Farmer Friendly Finance option Realise your future growth with a Cultivate loan Unsecured loans of up to €75,000 up to 10 years* Quick and easy application process

Conor Kennedy, Beef Farmer

Watch Conor’s story

Flexible Repayment Plans *Secured lending of up to €300,000 is available from Access Credit Union under the Cultivate Secured brand.

Scan me

bantrycu.ie

accesscu.ie

macroomcu.ie

(027) 50535

(028) 21883

(026) 41689

Loans are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. WARNING: If you do not meet the repayments on your Cultivate loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. The cost of your repayments may increase. All Cultivate Credit Unions are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.