Don’t miss the boat on sheep scheme
GALWAY sheep farmers have been urged ‘not to miss the boat’ for the new ‘Welfare Scheme’ that will deliver an annual payment of €10 per ewe for the next four years.
Michael Murphy, Galway IFA Sheep Committee Chairman, told the Farming Tribune that sheep farmers should be mindful of the fact that the deadline for entry to the scheme is January 31, next – less than two weeks time.
“This is a very important scheme for sheep farmers here in Galway and we certainly don’t want to see anyone miss out on it.
“An absolute ‘basic’ is to have the Sheep Census Form filled out and returned while farmers should also think carefully on the measures they select for the scheme – which ever ones they select, they will have to stick with for the four years,” said Michael Murphy.
He also advised that there was also an opening for new entrants to sheep farming who wouldn’t have ewes during the reference years of 2014/2015 – they could also apply for inclusion, also by January 31 next.
Farmers with queries on the scheme or with a general interest in the sheep trade have been invited to an information evening in the Ard Rí House Hotel, Tuam, on the Thursday night of January 26, at 8pm sharp.
There will be three main speakers at the meeting: John Lynskey, IFA National Sheep Committee Chairman; John Carty, Dept. of Agriculture and Darren Carty, Sheep Specialist with the Irish Farmers Journal.
Lowland flock owners entering the scheme have to pick one option from Category A or B. The Category A options are: 1, lameness control or 2, mineral supplementation ewes, post mating. Category B options are: 1, parasite control (faecal egg count); 2, scanning or 3, flystrike control.
For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.