Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter


Autumn appears to have arrived and we even have had a bit of the white stuff on the mountain.

Cropping farmers have pretty much finished their harvest, and those not affected by hail have had a very good harvest, which is great.

Sheep, beef and deer farmers that we deal with have all said that it has been a very good growing season, and this has allowed them to hold their stock longer, make more hay and silage and get their winter feed crops well established. So it sounds like we are all ready for winter!

Dairy farmers started off the season with very depressed commodity prices, but have probably had one of their best growing seasons for quite some time. Even their payout has improved; just shows how things can change in six months.

What’s going to happen in the next 12 months is anybody’s guess, but I think that as producers we have to become far more focused on our cost of production, as world commodity prices will continue to be very volatile.

Lastly, we will have our first-ever trade site at the World Ploughing Championship at Highbank between 15th and 18^th April, so please feel free to call in for a chat and something to eat and drink.

Regards,

David Molloy

MANGIE’S COMMENTS

I sit in my office chair, with harvest now finished, and it seems like one eye has been on the computer weather forecast and the other looking outside at the rain or wind. Some days are easy to predict, the others are ‘challenging’ and like Jim Hickey we get it wrong at times.

With a little forward planning and flexibility, we can make the most of staff and machinery to get spraying done when required. Credit must also go to our drivers for their efforts this season, but also to our farmer clients who have given us good notice of their spraying requirements, and have been patient at times when the weather is against us. Our drivers appreciate your comments and feedback; they do take pride in your crop’s wellbeing.

The end of the season sees Tom depart for the UK where he is undertaking an Agronomy course. Simon has finished another summer season and returns home. Josh, who has been driving a Bateman, is replacing Tom in a truck. From now through to the spring, staff will be catching up on some well earned holiday time.

As we start a new season, if you have altered your farm maps or bought additional land, now is the time to update our records. I am more than willing to visit your farm to advise on water supplies. As more creeks and ditches are shut down or piped, a tank supply is crucial for our sprayer efficiency and quality of your spray job.

Thank you to those who have supported the Agrecovery programme. I hope to catch up with you all this autumn.

David