As providers of an essential service, AI technicians have a vital role on dairy and suckler farms across NI. However, farmers are reminded to respect social distance rules and refrain from making personal contact once technicians are on farm.

It is understood that breeding companies have notified clients of working procedures and reports are that farmers are complying with these requests.

Where possible, all communication is conducted via a mobile phone.

Scanning technicians are also continuing to provide a service to farmers. However, as a second person is required to record scanning data, technicians are enforcing strict social distancing protocols.

Elsewhere, it is understood that some breeding companies are suspending new embryo transfer breeding work as this is viewed as a lower priority service compared to AI.

EFS applicants accept agreements

A total of 196 higher level agreements and 1,582 wider level agreements have been accepted by applicants in the third tranche of the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS).

It compares to 209 offers for EFS higher level, and 1,903 offers under the wider level, which were issued by DAERA last month.

The drop off in EFS wider level is likely due to DAERA deciding to cut the payment rate for water course stabilisation by 20%. A cut of almost 50% was also applied to the drinking trough pipework payment in the third tranche of EFS.

A DAERA spokesperson said that approximately 275 applicants who neither accepted or declined their letter of offer will be contacted in the coming weeks.

“The department is preparing to accept all agreements with the exception of those who have already declined their offer,” the spokesperson said.

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