Archive News 2008 July to September

DARD Reporter
17 September 2008

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has reminded herd keepers of important changes to the cattle ear tag numbering scheme.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) today published the revised Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Air and Soil (the ‘Code’).

College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) are joining forces with the Irish Society of IT in Agriculture (ISITA) and the British Association for IT in Agriculture (BAITA) to host the IT Connects Open Day for farmers and growers.

The event is taking place at Greenmount Campus, Antrim on Wednesday 29 October 2008 (10am to 4pm).

DARD Reporter
12 September 2008

As part of DARD's Customer Service Improvement Programme, a new series of DARD telephone numbers are now available for DARD customers. The purpose of the new numbers is to make it easier for customers to reach the right point of contact within DARD.

DARD Reporter
5 September 2008

Increasing demands for fresh, locally produced, quality food products by today’s discerning customers have led to a growing interest by producers to add value to their farm produce through on-farm processing and retailing. This one-day workshop (Wed 15 October 2008, Loughry Campus) will address the key issues to be considered for farm diversification into food processing.

3 September 2008
by CAFRE

The OFS is open for application from 1st September 2008 to 31st October 2008. The Scheme will grant aid farm businesses that convert some or all of their land from conventional to organic farming.

DARD Reporter
28 August 2008

Following farm visits to affected areas, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew, has expressed her sympathy for farmers who have suffered the loss of crops and animals as a result of recent flooding. The Minister has also met the Ulster Farmers Union to discuss their assessment of the situation.

28 August 2008
Jason McFerran – IT Technologist, Greenmount Campus, CAFRE

“Farm Connections” is an industry lead scheme designed to get more livestock producers using IT in their business. Working with producers who supply the beef for Sainsbury's Taste the Difference, Ultimate and SO Organic ranges through Anglo Beef Processors (ABP), the scheme aims to get 700 beef suppliers equipped with a laptop, printer, and beef management software programs for use on the farm.

19 August 2008
by Dard Reporter

Model farmers across the North are being asked to apply to become Focus Farms within the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) Agriculture.

5 August 2008
by BBC News

Older farmers are being urged to take particular care working with bulls this summer. The warning from the Health and Safety Executive follows a spate of attacks on older stockmen and the death of two farmers.

11 July 2008
by Dard Reporter

This is the first newsletter of the Axis 1 Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2007 to 2013. It is envisaged that subsequent newsletters will be issued on a quarterly basis although updates may be issued monthly or as required.

8 July 2008
by CAFRE

Herd keepers are reminded that all cattle deaths (except those going for slaughter at an approved slaughterhouse) and including still-borns should be notified by either sending a completed MC1 to the local Divisional Veterinary/DARD Direct office or by going online using the Rural Portal at www.ruralni.gov.uk. Herd keepers should ensure that all notifications should include Identification Number (Ear Tag), Colour, Breed, Sex, Date of Death and manner and place of disposal of carcase.