Emma takes the national chair at Macra

Dr Emma Birchall has been elected as chairperson of the National Board of Macra na Feirme, writes Brian Byrne. Kildare representative on the National Council and chair of South Kildare Macra branch, she was voted to the national position at Macra's AGM.

A former CPC student and member of Kilcullen Scouts, Emma was also the voice and face of safety on the farm during her time as the Macra 'Queen of the Land' in 2017-2018. She said she became particularly interested in the area when she visited emergency rooms as part of her medical studies — she qualified as a doctor at UCC in 2020. During her studies she came home most weekends to help on the family farm near Baltinglass, as well as meeting up with her Macra friends.

In 2013, Emma was the prime mover behind the St Patrick's Day Parade in Kilcullen, along with fellow members of Kilcullen Scouts.

A former dance pupil of Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, the councillor has described Emma as "a determined young woman who embraces everything life has to offer."

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Age Friendly Roadshow for Kilcullen Mart tomorrow

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A reminder that a Kildare Age Friendly Roadshow will be held at Leinster Marts Kilcullen tomorrow, Tuesday 7 February, in partnership with Kildare West Wicklow IFA, writes Brian Byrne. The target audience is farmers over 55 but it will be open to everyone in that age group in Kildare.

There will be information stands from various agricultural agencies, including farm related services and supports. Two Irish Heart Foundation nurses will be available for advice on elder health.  Information will be available on Health and Wellbeing, Rightsizing/age friendly homes, Education and Employment, Mobility and Balance, and Safety and Security. The event will also introduce the new Fitsticks for Farmers programme to get everyone moving, with Frank Fahy and the Kildare Sports Partnership.

The Roadshow will be opened by Martin Heydon TD, Minister with special responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann Sean O'Fearghaill TD will speak about prostate cancer.

The event runs from 10.30am and will be held in a marquee, but those coming are advised that warm clothing is advised as it is only February. Lunch will be available.

Further information is available from Carmel Cashin at 087 7212966 or ccashin@kildarecoco.ie.

(First published 14 January 2023.)

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Minister for Agriculture at Leinster Marts Kilcullen

Michael Kelly, Secretary, Leinster Cooperative Marts; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue; Cllr Ivan Keatley; Ger Smith, Chairman of Leinster Cooperative Marts; and Minister of State Martin Heydon.

In what is thought to be a first for a serving Minister for Agriculture to appear at Leinster Marts Kilcullen, Charlie McConalogue TD addressed a group of local farmers there this evening, writes Brian Byrne.

The Minister is on a tour of Ireland's farming counties to explain and discuss the state of play with the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. The CAP latest 7-year round of the CAP was due to begin last January but was delayed and will not now begin until January 2023. The Minister said it would now effectively be a 5-year CAP but he said it is important to make sure that the delay doesn't adversely affect family farm incomes.

He was greeted on arrival by Ger Smith, Chairman of Leinster Cooperative Marts, who subsequently introduced him to the strong attendance. Also present on the evening was Martin Heydon, TD – Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture for Research & Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development.

Other political figures at the meeting included Bernard Durkan TD, Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, Cllr Rob Power and Cllr Ivan Keatley.

The meeting was expected to continue for some two hours, and included a period for questions from the floor to be addressed.

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Farm buildings conservation scheme to continue in 2019

The Traditional Farm Buildings conservation grants under the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) will be continued for 2019, according to the Department of Agriculture, writes Brian Byrne.

The scheme provides one of the objectives of the Rural Development Regulation and is part of the green vision for Irish Agriculture as contained in Food Harvest 2020.

It is jointly funded by the Department and the EU and grants can range between €4,500 and €25,000 for suitable projects.

Applications will open in January for next year's tranche of the scheme, which was initiated in 2014.

The grants can cover up to €75pc of the cost of conserving and restoring traditional farm buildings of significant heritage value. These can include buildings and their associated structures such as historic yard surfaces, walls, gate pillars and gates.

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Farm computer course registration tonight

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A computer communications course for farmers will take place this evening in Ballymore Eustace, writes Brian Byrne.

The free training programme is organised by Skills for Work Education for Living and includes communications, online herd registration, emailing, and farm record keeping.

It will be held in the Resource Centre in Ballymore, with Registration at 7pm tonight and subsequent sessions held through September.

All farmers are welcome to take part, and further information is available from Deirdre Gallagher at 087 1884355.

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Ragwort warning from KWWSPCA

A warning about the danger of Ragwort to horses and donkeys has been issued by the Kildare West Wicklow SPCA, writes Brian Byrne.

The plant, which is often found on wasteland and road verges, has toxic compounds which can accumulate and cause possibly fatal damage to the livers of equines and other livestock animals.

KWWSPCA is asking land-owners to be aware of the plant, both in pasture and in baled hay or silage. Pulling it or handling it should always be done while wearing gloves.

If anyone sees it on wasteland and verges, please report it to the County Council. If you see it in a field, contact the landowner.

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Agri plastic waste collected today ... but where will it go?

The collection of farm plastic waste which has been going on in Kilcullen Mart all day today will take around 100 tonnes of the stuff off the hands of farmers in the area, writes Brian Byrne.

But it doesn't deal with the problem the country has, along with others, of where to send the plastic for recycling. China, which took 95pc of our plastic waste, has closed its doors to waste from Europe since 1 January.

The waste has been arriving in trailers and small trucks all day, being weighed and charged for at a minimum of €15 per half-tonne by Walker Recycling Services based in Portlaoise.

Walker Recycling specialises in dealing with agricultural and horticultural waste, sorting, shredding, cleaning, baling and shipping it to countries which have traditionally recycled it into materials to be used in the manufacture of new products.

Their 'bring centre' collection at Kilcullen today is one of 60 such locations which have been taking the waste from farms throughout the midlands.

Ireland is the worst producer of plastic waste in the EU, according to Eurostat figures, at 61kg per capita a year, compared to Germany in fourth place which produces37kg per person a year.

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten says a Europe-wide solution would be to develop a market for plastic recyclate at a competitive cost.

He also says that improving the quality of collected materials is 'critical' to increased recycling.

Nobody was available at Walker Recycling to comment on how the China 'crisis' is impacting on agricultural plastic waste disposal.

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Still a role for cattle marts — Kilcullen chairman

The Chairman of Leinster Cooperative Marts, Ger Smith, says there is still an important role for the mart system in Ireland's cattle trade, writes Brian Byrne.

He was speaking to the Diary at the 50th anniversary sale today, which included the auction of a donated bullock in aid of the Friends of St Brigid's Hospice on the Curragh.



The bullock sold quickly for €2,300 and was bought by a regular client of the mart, Michael Heffernan of Stradbally. The auctioneer was John Osbourne.

The sponsors of the Hospice event were Russell Brennan Keane, Auditors; Liffey Mills; Moss Veterinary; Hanlon Concrete; Dunne Farm Buildings; and SWS Forestry Services.

Also, St Laurence's St GAA Club Complex Development fund sold 80 tickets for a bull and other prizes at the mart today. They donated a number of tickets for the Hospice.

Some 470 cattle were being sold through the mart today, described as a 'very good day'.

Among those we met who had been at the mart on the launch day of the Co-operative half a century ago were Jim Byrne, Tom Cox, and John Hayden.

Public meeting on agriculture, equine industry issues

A meeting in Walls of Kilgowan on 22 March will focus on aspects of the agriculture and equine industries in the county, writes Brian Byrne.

The event is being hosted by Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin and Cllr Martin Miley, and will be addressed by Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture and Food Charlie McConalogue and also Jackie Cahill spokesperson on Horticulture and Food.

The Chairman of the Kildare branch of the IFA Brian Rushe will also address the meeting, which is open to the public and begins at 7pm.

Themes for discussion include Brexit, difficulties related to the change in value of sterling, and weather conditions which have impacted tillage farmers.

Deputy O'Loughlin says it would also be a suitable event for second and third level students from the area.