Planning approved to extend facilities at Ballyhaise
Teagasc has been granted planning permission by Cavan County Council to expand its facilities at Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Co. Cavan, including the construction of an extension to suckler sheds.
The Agriculture and Food Development Authority was seeking permission for a suckler shed extension, a livestock underpass with an effluent tank and a sheep shed with underground slatted tanks.
Planning was also approved for a wash and boot area, medicine store, toilet, office and training room and all associated site works.
As part of the application for the development, Teagasc submitted its fertiliser plan for Ballyhaise Agricultural College to the council's planning department.
Planning for the extension was granted subject to 22 conditions. Cavan County Council has ordered that the design and construction of all approvals shall be in accordance with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) specifications.
The college herd, which is spring calving, is part of the Teagasc Moorepark Dairy Research programme. Facilities include a modern 12 unit herringbone milking parlour with automatic drafting, slatted houses, calving pens and isolation boxes.
Planning permission
Meanwhile, planning permission has also been granted by Mayo County Council to construct an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant near Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.
The proposed AD plant on a site of approximately 4.4ha will take in 90,000 tonnes of locally sourced manure/slurry, whole crop silage and other organic material to produce biomethane.
The planning application was submitted by local pig farmer John Sheridan and Nephin Renewable Gas and the application states that 71 local farmers are willing to supply feedstock to the proposed plant.
The development would involve the construction of three digesters which would be around 16m in height, two digestate storage structures, two pump houses and two liquid feed tanks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
8 hours ago
- Agriland
Teagasc launches ‘This is Dairying' photo competition
Teagasc and FBD Insurance has launched the 'This is Dairying' photo competition in the lead-up to the Teagasc Moorepark Dairy Open Day, which takes place in early July, 2025. The competition will run throughout the month of June, and is an opportunity to capture and celebrate 'what makes Irish dairy farming so unique'. According to Teagasc, the aim of the competition is to highlight the pride, purpose and positivity within Irish dairying. It believes every photo helps to 'tell the story of Irish dairying at its best', and the competition provides an opportunity for budding photographers to 'get snapping' while being in with a chance to win exciting prizes. The head of the Teagasc animal and grassland research and innovation programme, Prof. Laurence Shalloo said: 'We're delighted to launch this initiative once again with thanks to support from FBD Insurance. 'Previous competitions have showcased the passion, care, and pride within the Irish dairy industry. We have seen some great creativity in previous competitions, and I'm looking forward to viewing the submissions in 2025,' Shalloo added. Teagasc Teagasc's people in dairy programme manager, Dr. Conor Hogan said: 'This competition is about celebrating all that is positive in Irish dairying. 'Sharing a single photo is a simple but powerful way for farmers, families, and the wider community to support and promote the dairy sector. We'd love to see entries from anyone involved in Irish dairying this June,' Hogan added. The competition is running until Wednesday, June 26, 2025, and the winners will be announced at the Teagasc Moorepark Dairy Open Day, and photos will be displayed online and on the day. The overall winner will receive €500 FBD Hotel voucher, and a professional framing of their winning photograph. The first runner up will receive €300, and two remaining finalists will be chosen to each receive €100 in FBD Hotel vouchers.
Agriland
3 days ago
- Agriland
Minister reveals agri schemes under ‘review' before Budget 2026
The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe has outlined a number of schemes for farmers that the Department of Finance is reviewing in advance of Budget 2026. The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD, Peter 'Chap' Cleere. According to Minister Donohoe, a number of tax reliefs are due to 'sunset' at the end of 2025. The first scheme under review is the Accelerated Capital Allowance (income tax) for slurry storage. The scheme was announced in 2023 to allow for the accelerated capital allowance for slurry storage, and for the construction of slurry storage facilities in farms. 'The scheme allows for the capital expenditure on slurry storage buildings and associated equipment to be written off at a rate of 50% per annum over a period of two years, as opposed to the standard period of seven years in the case of farm buildings, and eight years in the case of plant and machinery,' Minister Donohoe explained. The scheme has been in place for three years for expenditure occurred from January 1, 2023 to December 21, 2025. Schemes The second scheme the minister mentioned was the Young Trained Farmer (stamp duty) Relief. It provides a full exemption on stamp duty, which is normally charged at 7.5% on the transfer of farmland, subject to certain conditions being met. The relief is available where farm holdings are consolidated by way of linked sales, purchases of land, and where land is transferred as a gift or by way of exchange. According to the minister, stamp duty at a reduced rate of 1% is applied to the excess of the value of the land acquired over the value of the land disposed of, where the acquisition and disposal take place within a 24-month period of each other. The scheme has been renewed for three-year periods on several occasions and is next due to 'sunset' on December 31, 2025. The Farm Consolidation (stamp duty) Relief is also under review. The purpose of the relief is to encourage the consolidation of farm holdings, to reduce farm fragmentation, and improve the operation and viability of farms. Minister Donohoe said: 'The relief is available where farm holdings are consolidated by way of linked sales and purchases of land and where land is transferred as a gift or by way of exchange. As with the Young Trained Farmer Relief, stamp duty at a reduced rate of 1% is applied. Minister Donohoe also highlighted the situation with the Farm Restructuring (CGT) Relief. He said: 'The purpose of farm restructuring relief is to encourage the consolidation of farm holdings, to reduce farm fragmentation and so improve the operation and viability of farms. 'The relief applies to a sale, purchase or exchange of agricultural land, where Teagasc has certified that a sale and purchase or an exchange of agricultural land was made for farm restructuring purposes,' Minister Donohoe added. The scheme has been renewed for three-year periods on several occasions and is next due to 'sunset' on December 31, 2025. Finally, the minister mentioned the Revised CAT Agricultural Relief. In this scheme, tax legislation provides relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) for gifts and inheritances of agricultural property, where conditions are met. The minister explained that where the relief applies, it operates by reducing for, CAT purposes, the market value of qualifying assets by 90%. Minister Donohoe said: 'To qualify for the relief, a few conditions must be met by the beneficiary. One condition is the active farmer test, which requires the beneficiary to farm the agricultural property or lease it to an individual who farms the agricultural property for at least six years following the gift or inheritance. ' (The) Finance Act 2024 extended the active farmer test to the disponer by way of a commencement order. 'Department officials are in the process of consulting with stakeholders with a view to ensuring there are no unintended consequences in commencing this section,' the minister added.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Moorepark dairy open day set for July
'Innovating for the Future' is the theme of this year's Moorepark Dairy Open Day set for July 2. The Irish dairy industry has undergone a lot of transformation and change in the past 10 years since the removal of milk quotas. No longer restricted, milk solids output has almost doubled. Over the past 15 years, the Irish dairy industry has withstood a global pandemic, war on the continent of Europe and more recently global financial trade barriers. 'The dairy industry has consistently responded in a positive manner to challenges in the past, and I am sure it will face the current challenges with the same focus. Moorepark 25 will provide the pathway and support to farm families to address these challenges while embracing the opportunities,' said Professor Laurence Shalloo, head of the animal and grassland research and innovation programme. With all that in mind, the event plans to be a big one, with a variety of demonstrations and workshops on grazing management, reseeding, low-emission slurry spreading, fertiliser type, white clover swards, farm infrastructure, body condition scoring, milk quality, calf rearing, genetics, health and safety, and many more will take place throughout the day. There will be a particular focus on TB and TB control at the farm level, also demonstrated on the day. Discussion forums at the event will take place around cost control and growth opportunities for dairy farm businesses from a national and international perspective. Several topics will also be discussed at the Ornua forum area, including market updates, milk quality, and the dairy industry forum to discuss future challenges and opportunities for the industry as a whole. Teagasc director Professor Frank O'Mara, said: 'It is important that we take time to reflect and plan for the next phase of development for the Irish dairy industry. The industry must continue to align with EU and national policy objectives, with a particular focus on lowering carbon emissions, enhancing animal welfare, improving water and air quality, and enhancing biodiversity. "At the same time, dairy farms must generate financially rewarding career opportunities with a favourable work-life balance.' The open day aims to provide support for young farmers also, with business models that encourage them to enter and prosper in the industry. Michael Berkery, chairman of FBD Trust, said: 'At FBD, we're proud to partner with Teagasc in supporting the 2025 Moorepark Open Day. We recognise the vital role events like the open day play in fostering knowledge, innovation, and collaboration within the farming community. "Knowledge sharing and education around best practice and new technologies are critical to empower dairy farmers to build innovative, sustainable businesses for the future. The Moorepark Open Day provides an invaluable opportunity for farmers and industry leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and explore the latest advancements in dairy production, all while shaping the future of Irish agriculture.' Admission and parking are free on the day, July 2. Gates open at 8:30am and the event ends at 5pm.
