http___www.teagasc.ie_gaeilge_news_2011_201109-14_g.asp_1.xml
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Future of Organic Farming will be Bright 14 September 2011 The Teagasc National Organic Conference, “For Health and Profit” was officially open by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee TD, in Ballykisteen, County Tipperary, today, Wednesday, 14 September. The Teagasc National Organic Conference is part of a series of events organised for National Organic Week. Professor Nic Lampkin, Executive Director Organic Research Centre, UK stated that the future of organic farming will be bright, as the greening of the CAP will secure higher direct payments for organic farmers, and as markets across Europe recover from economic instability. A new booklet for organic farmers, “Animal Health Management on Organic Farms” compiled by Pat Barry Teagasc Organic Specialist was officially launched at the conference. The booklet is a useful resource for organic farmers as they seek to reduce disease incidents on their farm. Speaking at today’s conference, Pat Barry Teagasc and Douglas Gray from the Scottish Agriculture College, both came to similar conclusions that positive health management is the best tool in the prevention of disease outbreaks. Teagasc Organic Specialist, Dan Clavin said: “Organic production in Ireland is located mainly in the west, and south-west with over two-thirds of producers located in Connacht and Munster. Organic cattle farmers achieved a 30 per cent higher farm family income per hectare in 2010 compared to conventional cattle farmers (€349/ha vs. €268/ha). This was mainly due to significantly lower costs of production on organic cattle farms.” Organic cattle farms have a more viable socio-economic profile compared to conventional cattle farms. Eighty six per cent of organic cattle farms were considered economically viable, or sustainable, compared to 59 per cent of conventional cattle farms, according to analysis carried out by Teagasc in 2010. This was due to higher farm family incomes on organic farms and more organic farms with either the farmer, or their spouse earning an off-farm income. Speaking at today’s conference, Teagasc financial management specialist, Fintan Phelan said: “For organic farming to thrive it must return a reasonable profit to the producers. With pressure on family incomes from a variety of sources there is a renewed focus on increasing the profitability of the family farm. Teagasc have a number of computer based packages to help farmers control their costs and improve efficiency. Chief among these is the Teagasc Cost Control Planner and the e-Profit Monitor. This winter, financial training courses will be available to organic producers who wish to increase their profitability.” Lorcan Bourke, Bord Bia Analyst outlined how the Irish retail market has experienced mixed fortunes over the past twelve months as sectors such as yoghurt sales and fresh meat has increased and poultry sales have declined. Organic farming systems need to be profit orientated and the audience heard from producers who are processing and marketing their produce direct to consumers – these included Beale Organic Cheese – Kerry; Horizon Organic Vegetables – Cork and Crowes Organic Pork and Bacon Tipperary all of whom have managed to create a brand for their produce and ultimately achieve a premium price. Direct selling allows farmers the opportunity to remove the middle man and become more in control of their own destiny. Minister of State, Shane McEntee addresses Teagasc National Organic Conference (Department of Agriculture Press Release)
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Todhchaí Mhaith Os Comhair na Feirmeoireachta Orgánaí 14 Meán Fómhair 2011 D’oscail Aire Stáit na Roinne Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara, Shane McEntee TD, Comhdháil Náisiúnta Orgánach de chuid Teagasc, “Do Shláinte agus Brabús”, go hoifigiúil i mBaile Mhic Oistín, Contae Thiobraid Árann, inniu, Dé Céadaoin, 14 Meán Fómhair. Tá Comhdháil Náisiúnta Orgánach Teagasc mar chuid de shraith imeachtaí atá eagraithe don tSeachtain Náisiúnta Orgánach. Shonraigh an tOllamh Nic Lampkin, Stiúrthóir Feidhmiúcháin den Ionad Taighde Orgánach [Organic Research Centre] sa RA, go bhfuil todhchaí maith os comhair na feirmeoireachta orgánaí, de bharr go gcinnteoidh glasú an CBT íocaíochtaí díreacha níos airde d'fheirmeoirí orgánacha, agus de réir mar a théarnaíonn margaí ar fud na hEorpa ó éagobhsaíocht eacnamaíocht. Seoladh leabhrán nua d’fheirmeoirí orgánacha, “Bainistíocht Sláinte Ainmhithe ar Fheirmeacha Orgánacha” [Animal Health Management on Organic Farms] curtha le chéile ag Pat Barry, Speisialtóir Orgánach le Teagasc, go hoifigiúil ag an gcomhdháil. Is acmhainn úsáideach é an leabhrán d’fheirmeoirí orgánacha agus iad ag iarraidh galair a laghdú ar a bhfeirm. Ag labhairt ag comhdháil an lae inniu, bhí conclúidí comhchosúla ag Pat Barry Teagasc agus Douglas Gray ó Choláiste Talmhaíochta na hAlban gurb ionann bainistíocht sláinte dearfach agus an uirlis is fearr chun ráigeanna galair a chosc. Dúirt Speisialtóir Orgánach Teagasc, Dan Clavin: “Tá táirgeadh orgánach in Éirinn lonnaithe san iarthar, agus san iardheisceart den chúis is mó le dhá thrian de tháirgeoirí lonnaithe i gCúige Connachta agus i gCúige Mumhan. Ghnóthaigh feirmeoirí eallaí orgánacha ioncam teaghlaigh feirme in 2010 a bhí 30 faoin gcéad níos airde in aghaidh an heicteáir i gcomparáid le gnáthfheirmeoirí eallaí (€349/ha i gcomparáid le €268/ha). Ba de bharr costas táirgthe i bhfad níos ísle ar fheirmeacha eallaí orgánacha é sin den chuid is mó.” Baineann próifíl shocheacnamaíoch níos inmharthana le feirmeacha eallaí orgánacha i gcomparáid le gnáthfheirmeacha eallaí. Measadh go raibh 86 faoin gcéad d’fheirmeacha eallaí orgánacha inmharthana, nó inbhuanaithe, ó thaobh geilleagair de i gcomparáid le 59 faoin gcéad de ghnáthfheirmeacha eallaí, de réir anailíse déanta ag Teagasc in 2010. Ba de bharr ioncam teaghlaigh feirme níos airde ar fheirmeacha orgánacha agus níos mó feirmeacha orgánacha ina raibh an feirmeoir, nó a gcéile ag tuilleamh ioncaim anuas den fheirm é sin. Ag labhairt ag comhdháil an lae inniu, dúirt speisialtóir bainistíochta airgeadais de chuid Teagasc, Fintan Phelan: “Ionas go mbainfeadh feirmeoireacht orgánach barr a maitheasa amach, ní mór di brabús réasúnta a dhéanamh dá tairgeoirí. Le brú ar ioncaim teaghlaigh ó fhoinsí éagsúla tá béim athnuaite ar bhrabúsacht na feirme teaghlaigh a mhéadú. Tá roinnt pacáistí ríomhbhunaithe ag Teagasc chun cabhrú le feirmeoirí a gcuid costas a rialú agus éifeachtúlacht a fheabhsú. Ina measc sin is iad Pleanálaí Rialaithe Costais Teagasc agus an Monatóir r-Bhrabúis na cinn is tábhachtaí. An geimhreadh seo, beidh cúrsaí oiliúna airgeadais ar fáil do tháirgeoirí orgánacha ar mian leo a gcuid brabúsachta a mhéadú.” Léirigh Lorcan Bourke, Anailíseach de chuid Bord Bia, cén chaoi ar bhain rath measctha le margadh miondíola na hÉireann le bliain anuas de réir mar a tháinig méadú ar earnálacha cosúil le díolacháin iógairt agus feoil úr agus laghdú ar dhíolacháin éanlaith chlóis. Ní mór do chórais feirmeoireachta orgánacha a bheith dírithe ar bhrabús agus chuala an lucht féachana ó tháirgeoirí atá ag próiseáil agus ag margú a gcuid torthaí go dírithe do thomhaltóirí, ina measc sin bhí Beale Organic Cheese – Ciarraí; Horizon Organic Vegetables – Corcaigh agus Crowes Organic Pork and Bacon – Tiobraid Árann, dreamanna ar éirigh leo uile branda a chruthú dá dtorthaí agus praghas bisigh a bhaint amach faoi dheoidh. Tugann díol díreach deis d’fheirmeoirí an fear sa lár a bhaint agus níos mó smachta a bheith acu ar a gcinniúint féin.