Consultation

The group researched the problems and needs of small suckler farmers in South East Leitrim and carried out a feasibility study along with developing an Action Plan into the development and implementation of a suckler improvement programme with the aim of supplying quality beef to continental markets, the overall aim of which is to consolidate the position of suckler farmers in South East Leitrim.

CONSULTATION RESULTS AND FINDINGS

·         Recognised reduction in weanling quality.

·         Malnutrition and infertility in herds as a combined result of poor quality fodder and poor disease and pesticide control regimes.

·         Re-education of herd owners in effective disease control in herds.

·         Improvements in nutritional value of fodder.

Need to upgrade the quality of breeding herds through sourcing of quality replacements.

Identified Social and Economic Needs Phase One

·        Poor quality of livestock and weanlings.

·        Poor quality/low nutritional value of fodder.

·        Wet soil conditions causing liver fluke infection.

·        Land Drainage.

·        Competition with Forest Service and Developers of agricultural land.

·        Difficulty in expanding the size of farm holdings due to high cost of land, thus the need to reduce costs and improve farm management practices for improved profitability.

·        Artificially inflated land prices for agricultural land.

·        Poor capital returns for labour, compared to other industry sectors.

·        Inconsistent livestock prices.

·        Lack of alternative employment opportunities.

·        Need for incentives to encourage IT Training amongst rural communities, farmers and farm families.

·        Low levels of industrial investment in the area.

·        Slurry storage problems due to long over wintering period.

·        Safety awareness on farms.

·        Lack of leisure facilities i.e. local swimming pool.

·        Threat of national school closure.

·        Increasing age structure of the local farming community.

·        Falling attraction of agriculture as a viable career.

·        Escalating cost of feed concentrates.

·        Administrative problems/red tape associated with grants/subsidy forms

·        Maintenance of farming buildings

·        Waste water recycling

·        Disposal of fallen animals

·        Replacement/repair of farm machinery

·        Effluent/run off from silage

·        Non availability of affordable farm relief services.

  South East Leitrim  Farmers Group

The catchment area includes 29 DED’s with a population of approximately 8,481 (GAMMA 1996).  The 1991 Census of Agriculture revealed a total area farmed of 31,180 hectares.  1999 figures by the Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Development indicate 1,161 suckler herd owners, with approximately 17,415 suckler cows.

Profile of Management Committee

Pat Monaghan   Chairperson

Pat is a suckler farmer based in Cloone, Co. Leitrim.  Pat has extensive experience in community development and farming.  He was actively involved in the development of a new church in Cloone in the 1970’s and with the development of a football park in the 1980’s.

 As a member of  the County Leitrim Partnership Management Board and the Leitrim Partnerships Small Holders sub-committee, and through various executive positions within I.F.A in the county Pat has an indepth understanding of the needs and threats to farmers in the area.

Pat is also a community representative on the County Development Board and is a local IFA representative on the County Enterprise Board.

Brian Smith   Secretary        

Rural Development worker County  Leitrim Partnership Board.

Philip McHugh     Treasurer

Philip is a part time farmer who is also employed with Leitrim County Council.  Philip is involved in other community activities such as Ballinamore Credit Union and is also the safety officer with Ballinamore Agricultural Show.  Philip is also a member of Ballinamore IFA.

Tom Coll

Tom has worked as a Teagasc Adviser in Leitrim since 1994 and has considerable experience and knowledge of the issues particular to farmers in South East Leitrim.  Tom is also a member of Mohill Agricultural Show committee, which is an annual event organised in the area.

Anne Creegan

Anne is a full time suckler farmer and is involved in REPS.  Anne has completed a Community Enterprise Module with FAS including Guest House Management and Farm Accounts.  She is also a member of Gortletteragh Development Committee and has been a member of ICA since the 1970’s.

Con Dolan

Con is a Chartered Accountant providing accountancy, auditing and taxation services to farmers and agricultural related enterprises in Leitrim, Longford and Cavan.  Con is actively involved with the Carrigallen Community Development Association who at present are implementing their Area Development Plan.

Brendan Grimes

Brendan is a part time farmer from Carrigallen and is also involved in REPS.  Brendan is the Manager of the local mart in Carrigallen and is also a member of Carrigallen IFA.

Peggy Kilraine

Peggy is a full time suckler farmer who is presently participating in REPS. She is a breeder of purebred Charolaois, Hereford and Angus and a member of I.f.A. Her Husband Sean is the President of The Midland and Western Breed Improvement Society which hold purebred and special sales at the Carrick-on-Shannon Salesyard

 James Madden

James Madden is a Veterinary Surgeon presently employed by the Leitrim County Council.  James is actively involved in a number of community projects in Mohill including the Mohill Agricultural Show, Mohill Millennium Committee and the Mohill Arts Development Committee.  James was previously engaged in practice in Mohill for seven years and as such has developed indepth knowledge of herd health and farming practices.

Dessie Patterson

Dessie is a full time suckler farmer in the Carrigallen area.  He is also involved in REPS and has completed course in same.  Dessie is a member of Carrigallen IFA with particular interest in the livestock Committee.

Brian Reilly

Brian is a full time farmer.  He is a very active community person, acting as Treasurer for Carrigallen GAA.  Brian is also a very well know stage actor with the Corn Mill Theatre Company which has staged numerous productions locally and in other parts of the country.  This amateur group won the “All Ireland Drama”.

 Keith Richardson

Keith is a full time cattle farmer in Newtowngore. He also breeds purbred Limousine and Belgian Blue cattle. He is an active member of Macra Na Feirme and I.F.A.

Walter sharpley

Walter is a part-time suckler farmer and a secondary school teacher in Carrigallen. He is the deputy principal in Carrigallen Vocational School for the past ten years. He is involved in school football and in his local club in Ballinamore.

Contact- Mr Brian Smith C/o

County Leitrim Partnership Board.

Drumshanbo

Co Leitrim