Support meetings for dairy farmers

CAFRE has organised a series of meetings for dairy farmers in January 2024, aimed at providing advice on managing costs and also cashflow, given the potential for large tax bills at the end of the month.

Speakers include a CAFRE adviser, as well as an accountant and a representative from one of the main banks. There will also be a presentation from Rural Support. No registration is required.

The dates and venues are:

  • Tuesday, 9 January, 8pm, Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh.
  • Wednesday, 10 January, 8pm, Armagh City Hotel.
  • Thursday, 11 January, 8pm, Bushtown Hotel, Coleraine.
  • Similar meetings were held at both Greenmount and Loughry campuses back in November 2023, however, the attendance at both events was very small.

    CAFRE slurry management open days

    A slurry management open day will take place at the Dairy Centre at CAFRE’s Greenmount campus on Tuesday, 16 January, between 10am and 2pm. Tours will start at 10.30am and run every 30 minutes.

    Two similar on-farm events are also planned. On Tuesday, 23 January, the host is Rex Wilson, 22 Ballymoyle Road, Coagh, Cookstown, BT80 0AD, while on Tuesday, 30 January, the host is Ian McClelland, 64 Moss Road, Banbridge, BT32 3NZ. Both on-farm events will run from 11am to 1pm.

    At each of the three open days there will be practical demonstrations of efficient management of slurry, with the ultimate aim to help ensure water quality improvements into the future. The events will also include an overview provided by the NI Environment Agency (NIEA) and a look at future developments in slurry processing.

    Arable conference returns to Greenmount

    The annual agronomy and business conference for arable growers, jointly organised by CAFRE, the Ulster Arable Society (UAS) and Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) will take place on Thursday, 25 January, running from 9.30am to 4pm.

    The keynote address will be given by former Irish Farmers Journal editor, Matt Dempsey, with other speakers from across Britain and Ireland looking at issues ranging from manures in arable rotations to grass weed resistance.

    The cost is £30 (£35 if booked after 19 January 2024). Everyone is welcome to attend, however, registration is essential and can be done via the CAFRE or UFU websites. Anyone having difficulty booking online, can contact UFU HQ on 028-90370222.

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