Archives For August 2011

Clarendon Agricare Crop Crack

August 31, 2011

Crop Crack Wendy Fearon Clarendon Agricare

This month’s article from Clarendon Agricare for thefarmpage deals with Potatoes , cereals, Grassland weeds and reseeds. Keep up to date with regular tips from Clarendon Agricare in ‘ News From The Farming  Community’ section of the farm page.  

Preparing To Reseed

Livestock farmers have begun preparation for reseeding. The average grazing ley in Northern Ireland is kept down for 10 years. By this time the sward will contain approximately 50% of weed grasses which are lower yielding, of inferior quality, and will be significantly less responsive to fertilizer. Reseeding creates the best opportunity to introduce clover into the sward. The best start to any reseed is good destruction of the existing sward. This Provides good control of deep-rooted perennial weeds and grasses allowing easier ploughing.Burning off will provide a clean start for new seed whilst making weed control in the new ley easier. Choose a glyphosate based weed killer for best results, as only glyphosate will completely kill deep-rooted grasses and perennial weeds. Roundup Energy is rainfast quicker than ordinary glyphosate formulations and has the fastest turn around for cultivations.A period of at least three weeks regrowth after cutting should be left before spraying the sward. Weeds must be actively growing and the correct water volume must be used. To increase utilization of the old pasture plan to graze or cut 1 week after spraying.

 Grassland Weed Control

Ragwort is appearing in many grass situations at present and is becoming a greater problem especially in lower fertility situations; it is an ‘injurious weed’ and is not permitted to grow unchecked. Ragwort is a biennial plant i.e. it grows from seed the first season to produce a rosette plant and then the following season it will produce a flowering stem, produce seed then die. Ragwort contains alkaloids which are poisonous to all livestock. Each plant can produce up to 150,000 seed with a 70% germination rate and seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to 20 years. Treatment of plants, which are at the rosette stage now, can be very effective and an autumn application allows a check on the efficacy of the treatment to be made in early spring before allocating fields for silage or hay. Autumn is a good time to spray as the grass growth slows down and grass utilization and  withdrawal periods are not as critical as they can be in the spring time when stock are turned out. Whilst ragwort is unpalatable when it is green it becomes extremely palatable once sprayed. It is important to remove as much of the root as possible; ragwort can regenerate like docks from its root fragments. A single application of weed killer is unlikely to completely eliminate a ragwort infestation due to overlapping generations of the weed. A follow up treatment should be made in the spring.

Docks are a particular problem in intensively managed grassland, especially where seeds are spread through slurry applications or poaching has occurred. Docks look unsightly, but more importantly, can reduce the grass yield and productivity. Early autumn is often overlooked as a potential time to achieve effective dock control. At this time the dock plant will revert back to vegetative growth.  During vegetative growth the plant food being produced in the leaf is moved into the root for storage. Translocated herbicides are moved through the plant along with the food, hence if they are applied at this stage more product will end up in the root giving better root control.

Where clover is not considered important sprays based on the chemicals fluroxypyr, triclopyr or dicamba/mecoprop mixtures should be used. If clovers are an important component of the sward Squire may be used .Remember in most circumstances treatment is most effective where a second application takes place within a 12 month period.

Chickweed is an annual weed and seeds will germinate at any time of year but particularly in autumn when growing without competition from other plants. Common chickweed can produce approximately 800 seeds and it takes 7 to 8 years for the seed bank (supply of viable seeds in soil) to be 95% depleted, insuring an infestation for many years. Because of its ability to produce large numbers of seeds under cool temperatures, common chickweed rapidly colonizes any cool, moist area before winter or spring crops can become competitive.

Potatoes

Growers should continue to maintain fungicide protection of the haulm until the crop is harvested or the haulm is 100% desiccated. Timely desiccation is an essential part of good seed and ware production. Diquat is the most widely used farmer applied chemical desiccant .The rate of haulm desiccation is slow and therefore fungicide protection should continue after application. Even after two split applications of Reglone certain varieties of potatoes are difficult to burn off completely and be certain no regrowth will appear. Spotlight Plus is a desiccant recommended for use after a 7 day interval as a follow up T2 treatment to the T1 application of Reglone and gives complete kill of any stems remaining and stolons below the ground but it is poor on leaves.

 Pre-Harvest Weed Control

Early sown Winter Wheat and Spring Barley crops should be examined to decide whether or not they require pre-harvest treatment for the control of annual and perennial weeds especially scutch, rough stalked meadow grass and thistles.

Roundup Energy is the most effective and consistent product for this treatment.  It is a complete product that does not require additional wetter to be effective, even at low rates.

Roundup Energy should be applied when the grain moisture is below 30% which coincides with the hard dough development stage (GS 87).  The safe stage is 1-3 weeks prior to harvest leaving at least 7 days between spraying and harvesting.

Pre-harvest Round-up not only controls weeds but also helps to accelerate senescence of the crop making the harvest earlier, combining easier, and reducing drying costs.

 Pests in Grain

To ensure this season’s crops remain free from pests, stores need to be thoroughly cleaned of any old grain that may be harbouring pests. As pests arise from within the store and not the actual newly harvested crop it is essential to clean the store and associated machinery. An insecticide such as Reldan may have to be applied. Ideally once the grain has been harvested, the moisture content should be reduced to 14% or lower. This is the key value above which grain pests such as mites, beetles and weevils can breed and survive.

For more information or to locate your local stockist contact Clarendon Agricare on Tel 028 38332199 or Email  info@clarendonagricare.com

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Moore Concrete Products

August 31, 2011

Moore Concrete at Dairy Event and Livestock Show NEC  Birmingham

 Thefarmpage recently received this notice from Moore Concrete Products  Ballymena Northern Ireland. Keep up to date with Moore Concrete in the farm page.

 We are pleased to advise you that Moore Concrete will be exhibiting at this years’  Dairy Event & Livestock Show on the 6th & 7th September 2011 at Stand LE 290.
Staff will be on hand to help you find the concrete solution which best suits your needs. Included in the Moore Concrete product range are;

  • Livestock Water Troughs
  • Feed Troughs
  • Above Ground Slurry Stores
  • Free Standing Retainer & Bunker Walls
  • Pressed Panels Walls for Silo and Livestock Buildings
  • Slurry Channel and Diagonal Slats
  • Gang Slats and Cubicle Bases
  • Footbaths

 Full details are available on our website http://www.moore-concrete.com/

We hope you can visit us and we look forward to the pleasure of your company at our stand.

 Should you require any further information in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact our Sales Team on  028 2565 2566.

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LCC Oil

August 25, 2011

LCC Oil   A Division of Lissan Coal Company Ltd

LCC Oil, a family owned and managed business,is a good addition to the farm page. LCC  prides itself on quality service and value for money. LCC Oil  is constantly meeting the needs of major commercial companies and the provinces huge agriculture industry. LCC Oil will bring offers direct to thefarmpage on a regular basis.

Lissan Coal Company’s Oil Division was established in 1997 to expand the range of fuels available to our customers. Since then LCC Oil has grown rapidly both in geographical coverage and it’s range of services.

Oil is one of the cheapest forms of home heating and currently heats almost 75% of private homes in N Ireland. LCC Oil is one of Northern Irelands leading domestic suppliers, delivering to all areas of the province from its strategically placed depots.

Partnerships with the Farming Community have always played a large part in LCC Oils business goals. At LCC we appreciate the farming way of life and the fact that your time is important, therefore we have developed our list of services especially to cater for your needs. Our rural based depots are well geared to deal with agricultural requirements and our sales staff are (omit) understand the needs of our customers.

We have flexible fleets of oil tankers to cope with peak farming demands, and the importance of keeping farming machinery constantly on the move is fully appreciated by our dedicated delivery personnel.

We supply quality 35 sec gas Oil (Red Diesel) throughout the year, with a special additive blend to prevent our product freezing during the cold winter period. We provide a 7 day a week delivery service at peak times, with the same day delivery service available for emergencies.

At LCC we can ensure that you will never run out of oil again if you opt for our planned delivery top up service, which gives you the customer priority deliveries at specific requested times.

We also have a full range of replacement heating oil and Red Diesel tanks complete with gravity hoses (check this) kits if required, all with 10-year guarantee. Our range of products is designed to reflect the diverse requirements of the Farming Industry, and we can supply a full range of Statoil Quality Lubricants to satisfy all of your equipment needs.

Our payment terms can be tailored to suit your own individual needs. You can pay by cash, cheque, and credit/card or be using our Home Heating Budget Payment Plan, which enables you to spread your payments evenly out(omit) across the year.

For more information contact : sales@lccoil.com

Tel. 0800525245

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Tuffmac Trailers

August 25, 2011

Tuffmac Trailers and Agricultural Machinery  N Ireland

The latest advertiser on thefarmpage front page is Tuffmac Trailers who supply a wide range of trailers and other agricultural  machinery throughout Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. Tuffmac Trailers have built a strong reputation for build quality over the past 5 years and look forward to a bright future with a host of new products being added to their range. Follow The Farm Page on a regular basis and keep up to date with all the latest developments from Tuffmac Trailers.

Here is a selection of the Tuffmac range -

  • Livestock trailer 8 X 5
  • Livestock trailer 12 X 5’9
  • 5Ft Transport box 
  • 7ft Heavy duty link box
  • Silage trailers
  • Dump trailers
  • 3m Land Aerator
  • 8ft Roller with hyd wheels
  • Hydraulic Bale handler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuffmac Trailers,

50 Derrynaseer Road

Dromore

Co. Down Northern Ireland

BT78 3BH 

For more information Tel 028 82897800 or click here to visit website

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PPS21 Planning Policy – Northern Ireland

August 22, 2011

Tips on PPS21 Planning Policy N Ireland

 Thefarmpage recently received this article on PPS21 planning policies for sustainable developments in the countryside. The farm page hope that this brief description of present policy for the development of country buildings in Northern Ireland will be useful to the local farming / agricultural community. Follow Thefarmpage for more useful tips on farming related items. With the downturn in the Northern Ireland housing market now is a great time to build a dwelling and local builders, specialising in PPS21 developments, are keen for single dwelling builds.

 PPS21 is a policy that sets out planning policies for sustainable development and permitted development in the countryside. The aim of PPS21 is to manage development in the countryside in a balanced way that protects it from unnecessary development whilst supporting rural communities. The objectives of PPS21 are essentially to manage growth and achieve sustainable patterns of development that meet the needs of rural communities whilst conserving the landscape and natural resources of rural areas by protecting them from inappropriate and obtrusive development. PPS21 also facilitates development necessary to achieve a sustainable rural economy by way of farming diversification and other economic activity.

How does PPS21 affect me?

Given the complexity of PPS21 each countryside planning application will have its own unique points that will require consideration when applying PPS21 to it. PPS21 has brought in new rules to help development which can only be applied for with the following:-

Replacement Dwellings - Can be granted for existing dwellings in various state of repair as long as walls & recognisable openings remain. Click here for more information on PPS21 Replacement Dwelling Northern Ireland.

New dwelling on a farm – Under the new Planning Policy, one dwelling is permitted on a farm every 10 years. Click here for more information on PPS21 New Dwelling Northern Ireland.

Non–Residential (barns)  Conversions - This applies to non-residential agricultural buildings that have a residential style construction i.e. masonry / stone walls with openings.

Infill sites along road sides – This applies to small gaps or sites between a row of 3 or more existing houses. Click here for more information on PPS21 Infill Sites Northern Ireland.

Personal need Dwellings – These are dwellings for people with a special need or domestic circumstance, such as a carer for another person.

Non-Agricultural business Dwellings – site specific need for a dwelling near a non-agricultural business

New Dwellings in Existing Clusters – this allows for a new house in a cluster of at least 4 buildings, at least 3 of which must be dwellings.

What do I do now?

If you think you have a site, a building to replace or convert, or need advice, contact us and we will discuss with you the options available. We offer a free office or site consultation for clients to determine the viability of making a Planning application.

 Fairviewplanning@hotmail.com

Or tel : 07843671333

 Builders add your Contact details here.  

For more information Email   trevor@thefarmpage.com

Click here for full PPS21 Document

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Taylor Farm Supplies

August 17, 2011

Taylor Farm Supplies Seaweed Specialists

Thefarmpage  welcome taylor Farm Supplies as a front page advertiser. Taylor Farm Supplies are dedicated to sourcing and producing seaweed products and mineral fertilisers. Follow the farm page for new developments frpm Taylor Farm Supplies. 

Benefits from using seaweed fertiliser include-

  • Soil structure and life, leading to release of nutrients
  • Plants for animal and human consumption can access the full spectrum of released nutrients for a fuller taste and enhanced disease resistance
  • Animals eating these fortified plants are in optimum health

We provide products that have balanced nutritional needs for soils, plants and animals. Healthy plants and animals lead to increased income and reduced costs.

NEW bucket range. Our new bucket range is mainly for outside feeding with seaweeds as their main ingredient with the same therapeutic and trace element advantages of the Ocean harvest bag.

OCEAN HARVEST BUCKETS with SEAWEEDS

Stock generally satisfy their requirements more quickly when using a seaweed mineral and, as no flavours are added, there is no wastage.

a. Calf/Beef/Heifer + 2 Seaweeds (with all major minerals and vitamins required)

For all classes of young stock up to 2 years old. The ideal way to feed stock when grass is plentiful, i.e. good grass which is not heavily fertilised contains all the protein, energy and fibre contained in meal. All that is required is minerals, trace elements and vitamins.

Modern grass mixtures are developed to respond to fertiliser and do not contain (or cannot assimilate quickly enough) many important minerals. These bucket licks have been developed to address this deficiency, and cost about 5p per day per animal.

b. Pre Calver & Seaweed

This bucket is suitable for out at grass. Cows cannot absorb sufficient minerals after they calve. Fertility and calf health is determined before the cow calves. Also, the health and ability of the calf to develop resistance is determined by the cows immunity (when healthy) and the cows level of minerals. Seaweeds are therapeutic to cows, and this is especially noticeable when seaweed fed cows have more live births due to a slippery placenta and lively calf.

c. Rest of the Range

Hi Mag, Sweet Mag, Sheep, Horse, plus all of the above without seaweed.

Pure Atlantic Seaweed Meal for feeding to all animals. Supplied by Arramara Teoranta this is the best quality Irish seaweed you can buy. Our Seaweed Meal contains over 30 natural minerals, amino acids, vitamins, with natural protein and energy.

  • Restores mineral deficiencies
  • Improves digestion
  • Reduces stress
  • Improves resistance to diseases and disorders
  • Improves fertility
  • Restores general health, skin and hoof conditions

 For more information or advice on any of these products please

 Tel Brian on  07860681142 or Click here to visit website.

Taylor Farm Supplies , 7 lisnoe Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.  BT27 5LT

 

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Northstone N I Ltd

August 17, 2011

Northstone Materials

Northstone N I Ltd recently joined thefarmpage as an advertiser. Northstone will bring  updates on new products to the farm page on a regular basis in our ‘News From The FArming Community’ section.

Northstone Materials has been supplying quality construction materials to Northern Ireland’s farmers since the 1950s. Northstone Materials provide an unrivalled portfolio of products across the province.  Northstone’s wealth of experience, expertise and resources combined with friendly, courteous service on a local level make it the right choice for all of your construction materials needs.

CONCRETE

The majority of our wide networks of concrete depots are in rural locations and while building and civil engineering contracts come and go, our farming customers are the mainstay of the business in these areas. Countless laneways, yard areas, slurry tanks and farm buildings across the country have been constructed down the years using our ready-mixed concrete, stone, concrete blocks, mortar and sand.  Our aim has always been to provide a high standard of service and value for money with quality never compromised.

All concrete is produced to the rigorous standards demanded by our membership of the ‘Quality Scheme for Ready-Mixed Concrete (QSRMC)’ ensuring the best product quality and service for our customers. This is typical of the quality standards across the Northstone business.

Contact details for our extensive depot network are given below.

CONCRETE DEPOTS

Ballynahinch      028 9756 2663        Banbridge          028 4062 3500

Carryduff             028 9081 2212         Coleraine             028 7034 3973

Craigavon           028 3833 5955        Dunmurry           028 9062 3222

Glengormley      028 9034 2979        Glenwherry        028 2583 1303

Kells                       028 2589 1353         L’derry                 028 7134 1367

Newtownards    028 9181 4676         Strabane             028 7188 4837

** SUPPLY AND LAY SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE  ***

An exciting new development for 2011 is the launch of Northstone’s ‘Supply and Lay’ Concrete Service. “Available across our depot network, we are combining our decades of concrete expertise and contracting experience to offer the complete concreting solution to the farming community and beyond. Using only approved, experienced laying squads from across NI, Northstone will offer a quality product finished to the highest standard.  Specially designed concrete mixes have been developed to give added protection from freeze-thaw attack.   Take the first step in getting yard areas which will stand the test of time by calling our Sales Office on (028) 7032 1100 to arrange a site visit and quotation.

CONCRETE BLOCKS

In addition to concrete, Northstone supply quality concrete blocks in a range of strengths and sizes from the locations below:

Carryduff             028 9081 2212

Coleraine             028 7965 1317*

Strabane              028 7188 4837

Toomebridge     028 7965 1317

*Please note that block deliveries in the Coleraine area are organised from our Toome despatch office

STONE AGGREGATES / SAND & GRAVEL

An extensive range of aggregates for blinding, fill and drainage is available from Northstone’s quarries and sand & gravel pits.  In addition to sand for building use, we also supply specialist sands for equestrian applications.

QUARRIES                                                   LOUGH NEAGH SAND

Ballymena      028 2589 8151            Sandy Bay     028 9442 2205

Carrickmore 028 8076 1234             Ballyginniff    028 9445 2495

Coleraine       028 7032 1100            Toome            028 7965 1306

Mountfield     028 8077 1252

North Down   028 9181 4871

SAND & GRAVEL PITS

Draperstown 028 7962 8332

Dungiven       028 7774 2200

For all your construction materials requirements please tel (028) 70321100

or visit   http://www.northstonematerials.com/

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Killyless Stores Special Offers

August 12, 2011

Killyless Stores Cullybackey Ballymena Co Antrim

Killyless Stores have informed thefarmpage, of a special offer for the months of August and September 2011,that they have cut the price of   Barrels of Propcorn by £10.00 for all farmpage readers.

Print out this page and present it at Killyless Stores Cullybackey and receive £10.00 cashback. .

Also stocking flopaks of Propcorn.

End of season sale of Electric Fencers £15.00 off the full range of  fencers while stocks last. Again this offer is only available to the farm page readers and can only be claimed by printing this page and presenting it at Killyless Stores.

These offers are only available upon presentation of  of this page at Killyless Stores 126 Lisnahunshin Road, Cullybackey, Ballymena, Co. Antrim N Ireland BT42 1ET

For more information Tel 028 25880233 or Email office@killylessstores.com

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Causeway Classic III, hosted by Holstein N Ireland

August 12, 2011

Causeway Classic III peaks at 10,000gns

Thefarmpage has just received this report on The Causeway Classic III sale held recently at the Moira Sale Ring in Co Antrim N Ireland.

Prices reached a ceiling of 10,000gns at this week’s Causeway Classic III, hosted by Holstein NI in conjunction with Genus ABS and United Feeds, at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Bidding was underpinned by pedigree breeders, as the 300-strong crowd witnessed fierce competition for the hottest lots in the catalogue. “Breeders came from as far afield as Cornwall and County Kerry aiming to secure new families for their herds, but it was the local bidders who dominated the trade,” explained auctioneer  Michael Taaffe.

Hitting the headlines at 10,000gns was the February 2011 born Glasson Atlas Go Sara ET (PLI£132), an MD Delight Durham Atlas daughter, bred from the 2011 Balmoral breed champion and NISA/McLarnon’s Dairy Cow of the Year, Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 ET.

Voted best overall junior cow in Holstein NI’s annual herds inspection competition, Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 ET is projected to give over 16,000 kilos in her second lactation. The sale leader is a potential ninth generation VG/EX, and is a maternal sister to Glasson Mono ET – sold to Cogent.

This smart heifer attracted considerable attention from the packed ringside, with Michael Taaffe taking a flurry of bids from several eager purchasers. The successful bidders were Charlie Weir, Burnhill herd, Waringstown, and Derek and Neil Pepper, Utopian herd, Dromore, with vendors, Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown, retaining a third share.

Next best at 8,000gns was a descendant of the famous Medway Supreme Maude (EX98-8E-19*), consigned by the father and son team of Sam and John McCormick, Bangor.

Hilltara Goldwyn Maude 2 ET (PLI£158) is a potential ninth generation VG/EX, and is bred from the prize winning Hilltara Champion Maude (EX94-2E) SP, which gave almost 12,000 kilos at 4.26% butterfat and 3.14% protein in her third 305-day lactation.

This November 2010 born heifer presented a rare opportunity to secure a Maude from Hilltara, and was snapped up by joint bidders John Berry and Ivor Broomfield, for their Skybrook and Moneyquin herds based in Armagh.

Following close behind at 7,200gns was the December 2010 born Ballycrochan Classic Sara Red (PLI£91), bred by Aubrey Patterson, Bangor.  Sired by Poos Stadel Classic, she is a potential eighth generation ‘True Red’ backed by super components. Her dam is the VG87 Honeypot Rustler J Sara Red ET, while her gdam is Copywood Jordan Sara Red (VG87) – maternal sister to the Haffey’s Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 ET – dam of the sale’s highest priced entry.

Ballycrochan Classic Sara Red caught the eye of joint bidders, David and Alan Wallace, Abercorn herd, and Ryan McCoy, Real McCoy herd, Antrim.

Aubrey Patterson also realised 3,300gns for the five-month-old Ballycrochan Goldwyn Marie ET (PLI£186). Her dam, Denmire Shottle Marie 100 ET is a high genomic (GTPI+1882) from the Denmire Marie family, while her gdam is a fourth generation EX94. The successful bidder was David Campbell from Coleraine.

Holstein NI vice-chairman, Jay Warden, Bangor, sold Ballygrainey Mac Akira ET (PLI£98) for 3,050gns. She is one of Regancrest HHF Mac’s highest genomic daughters in the UK – (GTPI+1941), and her gdam is sister to KHW Kite Advent Red. This one sold to Pat McKillen from Fivemiletown.

Martin King from Ballymena paid out 3,000gns to secure Glasson Wisconsin A Molli Red (PLI£48) from Philip and Simon Haffey’s herd in Portadown. This January 2010 born April Day Wisconsin Red daughter is a potential 9th generation VG/EX ‘True Red’.

Holstein NI chairman, Alan Cleland, said:”Thanks to everyone who supported the Causeway Classic III. We are indebted to our sponsors, Genus ABS and United Feeds, for their continued support. “

Average: 17 heifers, £3,414.

Auctioneers: Taaffe Auctions, Drogheda

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Doagh Farm Feeds & Equestrian

August 11, 2011

Doagh Farm Feeds and Equestrian Open Week

Doagh Farm Feeds informed the farm page that they are to hold an Open week beginning 18th August  running through to 25th August 2011. During the week there will be a  number of special offers on all stock check their Facebook page for details. Follow Thefarmpage for regular updates from Doagh Farm Feeds Equestrian

Doagh Farm Feeds & Equestrian

10 Ballyclare Road

Doagh

Co. Antrim

For more information Tel.  028 93352282

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