Teagasc urges Louth farmers to prioritise safe farmyard design during farm safety week
Tom Fallon, Teagasc Farm Buildings and Infrastructure Specialist, said: 'Teagasc advisors across the country, including here in Louth, are trained to help farmers design safer, more efficient yards. Whether it's short-term improvements or long-term developments, we're here to support farmers every step of the way.'
Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, added: 'Well-designed facilities don't just improve safety, they also enhance the overall management of the farm. We strongly encourage farmers to talk with their local advisor and look into funding options for safety improvements.'
Farmers can now avail of Accelerated Capital Allowances, allowing 50% of the cost of eligible safety equipment to be written off annually over two years, a significant improvement on the standard eight-year depreciation schedule. Eligible items include fixed livestock handling units, calving gates, floodlights, livestock monitors, and sliding or roller doors.
This scheme complements the 60% grant aid under the Department of Agriculture's TAMS 3 programme, which supports safety-related investments such as cattle crushes, calving pens, and safer storage areas.
Teagasc also provided general safety design tips, including: Clear separation of pedestrian routes, machinery, and livestock; Defined areas for workshop tools, chemicals, and machinery; Adequate lighting and clean, level ground surfaces; Warning signage for hazardous zones such as bull pens and slurry pits; Maintaining a stocked and accessible first aid box; Designated child-safe play areas
Farmers in Louth considering construction projects are also reminded of their obligations under the Health and Safety Construction Regulations, including the requirement to make formal construction appointments.
Local Teagasc advisors are available for one-to-one consultations to help Louth farmers design safer, more efficient farmyards.
For more information or to attend a local event during Farm Safety Week, visit www.teagasc.ie or contact your nearest Teagasc office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Straw availability in 2025: A tale of two islands
Straw availability on the island of Ireland is very strong at the present time, Co. Derry merchant, Robert Miller has confirmed. However, the merchant said: 'It's the polar opposite scenario in Britain. 'The main cereal growing areas of England have not seen rain in five months." The merchant highlighted the high quality of straw coming up from the Republic. 'We are already bringing up large quantities of barley straw from the main grain growing areas in Leinster and Munster. 'There's plenty of it and the quality is excellent.' It is estimated that Ireland produces about one million tonnes of cereal straw annually. Initial projections from Teagasc indicate that winter barley crops harvested over recent days are averaging between 14 and 15 4X4 round bales/ac of straw. This is in line with the high cereal yields achieved up to this point. Winter wheat yields are also projected to be well up year-on-year. This holds out the promise of yet more high quality straw becoming available later in the season. Oat straw is notoriously difficult to manage. This is due to the wide variability in maturity levels of plants within a crop. But with all cereal crops reaching maturity at an accelerated rate, there is growing confidence that all cereal straw produced in Ireland this year will be fit for combining. This, in turn, puts a question mark over what proportion of the 2025 crop will be finally earmarked for the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM). Some weeks ago, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Fisheries Martin Heydon secured a €5 million top-up to the funding available for the programme. One upside to the poor availability of straw in Britain is the reduced threat of importing herbicide-resistant weed seeds, including blackgrass, into Ireland. Meanwhile, merchants such as Robert Miller point to a very strong demand for straw in Northern Ireland over the coming months - both for animal feed and bedding purposes. And this trend looks set to continue. Straw and hay merchant Robert Miller Increasingly, dairy farmers include straw in the total mixed ration (TMR) they feed to both their lactating and dry cows. Significantly, Miller believes that selling straw and hay on a per bale basis does not convey to farmer-customers the full details of what they are buying. He said: 'Straw and hay must be sold on a weight basis. 'Only then will farmers know exactly what they are really getting for their money. 'I buy straw exclusively on a weight basis. Each 8x4x3 bale is guaranteed to weigh 500kg, 'I can then sell the hay and straw to customers on the same basis.'
Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Withdrawing fields from SIM? Get the paperwork sorted out in time
A significant number of tillage farmers may wish to withdraw some fields from the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM). This reflects the continuing good weather and excellent baling conditions. Michael Hennessy, head of Teagasc's Crops Knowledge Transfer Department, commented: 'Harvest 2025 is progressing well. "One particularly notable feature has been both the quantity and quality of straw produced by many crops. 'In light of this, some farmers may wish to withdraw some fields from the Straw Incorporation Measure .' 'Two points are relevant in this regard. First off, the Department of Agriculture should be notified of an intention to bale straw, rather than chop it, at point of combining. According to Hennessey, waiting until after the straw is baled to notify the department "could prove problematic". 'Farmers should also ensure they have a market for the straw they are baling and that the prices on offer at least match the funding available through the Straw Incorporation Scheme,' he added This week has seen the first of this year's spring barley crops harvested. And the feedback from farmers up to this point has been very encouraging. Spring barley yields are in the range 3.0-3.5t/ac, with grain quality also good. And it really is a case of action on all fronts with oilseed rape and winter wheat crops ready now ready for the combine in many parts of the country. Early indications are that rape crops are yielding particularly well. it is worth noting, however, that the spring crops coming through now were planted in March. The yields of later sown spring barleys may not be as promising, a direct result of the drought conditions that impacted across Ireland throughout the month of May. Meanwhile, most forage maize and beet crops continue to look well. Recent rains have boosted growth rates significantly. The prospect of a September harvest date for maize grown under plastic is shaping up to be a genuine possibility in many parts of the country. Demand for maize continues to grow on dairy and beef farms. The forage is widely recognised as a high quality feed source for stock of all ages. Met Éireann is forecasting a good deal of dry weather for the week ahead. There will be some rain or showers at times with temperatures reaching the high-teens to low-twenties . In terms of upcoming tillage events, Teagasc will be hosting its Tillage Forum in the Killashee Hotel, Naas on Wednesday, September 10.
Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
ICSA: Forgotten Farmers scheme welcome 'albeit long overdue'
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has welcomed the confirmation that a scheme for so-called 'Forgotten Farmers' will open for applications from today (Tuesday, July 22). The ICSA said that the scheme has been "long overdue" for a group of farmers who "did everything right". Earlier today, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that a scheme to support Long Established Young Farmers – or 'Forgotten Farmers' – is open for submission of online applications as of today. The department was allocated €5 million in Budget 2025 to provide support to this group. Applicants can avail of a payment of up to €5,000 (depending on application numbers). Online applications can be submitted until 5.30p.m on August 13. The Long Established Young Farmers, or Forgotten Farmers, is a group defined as young farmers who were under the age of 40 in 2015, had commenced in agriculture prior to 2008, did not receive young farmer installation aid, and were not eligible for young farmer supports under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from 2015 due to the date they had first set up in agriculture. Commenting on the scheme, ICSA president Sean McNamara said that the scheme is "a very welcome development, albeit one that is long overdue". "We in ICSA have consistently campaigned for justice for this cohort of farmers who were unfairly excluded from young farmer supports under the last CAP due to a technical anomaly with dates. "While this €5 million scheme is limited in scope and capped at €5,000 per applicant, it is a recognition, finally, of the injustice these farmers have faced for nearly a decade," McNamara added. "It is important to stress that these farmers did everything right. They were under 40 in 2015, had the required education, and were actively farming before 2008," he said. "Yet, because they began farming 'too soon' to qualify under arbitrary CAP cut-off points, they were locked out of supports that their peers received," the ICSA president added. "This anomaly created a totally unfair situation, and it's only right that we now see a measure to partially redress that. However, he also said that the scheme "won't fully undo the hardship caused by years of exclusion", although it is a "step in the right direction". McNamara called on all eligible farmers to apply without delay, saying the application window is "relatively short".
