FARMING Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, is writing to supermarkets on the impact that rising input costs (such as grain and feed prices) is having on farmers.
"I have written to the supermarkets on the issue of input costs," she said. "This is due to escalating cereal prices caused by global trading conditions and the increased demand from the renewable energy sector in the US. This will cause serious economic problems for the foreseeable future.
"This is a critical issue for producers and they cannot be expected to continue making losses against this massive and increasing input cost. They are in a precarious situation and fear for their futures. This worries me greatly and I am determined to do all I can to address this.
"I am publicly calling for an open discussion between producers, processors and retailers to see what can be done urgently to better reflect, in retail prices, these increasing costs that jeopardise the whole supply chain.
"This issue is not about squeezing out a better deal with farmers but is about ensuring that they have a viable future. I intend to meet with the supermarkets and Grain Trade Association with a view to finding a way forward."
Excellent prices at Omagh Auction Mart
ALMOST 600 beef and store bullocks plus heifers were presented in Omagh on Monday. Quality beef and stores sold at excellent prices with several customers buying cattle for shipping to Scotland and England.
Bullocks over 500kgs: Edward Rankin, Castlederg £910 775kgs, £848 700kgs, £840 680kgs; Margaret Love, Fintona £845 720kgs; Gary Hawkes, Omagh £808 700kgs.
Bulls: £785 640kgs, P Gormley £850 760kgs, Michael McCullagh, Mountfield £792 630kgs; Joe Hutton, Cookstown £740 590kgs; B Campbell, Beragh £712 650kgs; J Donaghy, Carrickmore £750 600kgs; J McShane, Donemana £750 630kgs; K McManus, Enniskillen £665 580kgs, £625 500kgs; C Murnaghan, Omagh £718 630kgs, £642 540kgs, £750 670kgs, £738 640kgs.
Under 500kgs: K McManus, Enniskillen £625 480kgs; P Carland, Carrickmore £595 486kgs; C E Bradley, Dromore £575 470kgs, 532 400kgs, £508 400kgs; C Patterson, Irvinestown £532 400kgs; W Nethery, Drumquin £525 410kgs; B McGurk, Cookstown £540 450kgs; John Beattie, Omagh £530 410kgs; N Tracey £512 390kgs; D Hume, Strabane £500 400kgs; W J Clements, Omagh £545 440kgs; S&L Houston, Strabane £538 420kgs; P McCartan, Omagh £510 400kgs.
Plainer bullocks sold from £50 to £100 less than weight.
Good turnout at Gortin
ANOTHER good turnout was on offer at Monday's sheep sale in Gortin. Fat lambs sold to £56 and fat ewes to £52.50. Leading prices as follows:
Fat Lambs: P McGirr £56(25kg); D Rafferty £51(25kg); P Kelly £51(26kg); J Patterson £51.50(251/2kg), £50.20(26kg); W Ballantine £48.80(23kg); M McNamee £50(25kg); H Speers £49(231/4kg); M Haughey £49(25kg); A Fleming £46.20(231/2kg); J P Bradley £48.80(23kg), £47.50(231/2kg); S H Allen £47.40(233/4kg); D Logue £47(243/4kg); I Hetherington £46.20(223/4kg); J Hutton £46(233/4kg), £44.50(223/4kg); A Sproule £44.50(221/4kg); C Beattie £45(23kg); P Doherty £45(22kg); I Baxter £45(23kg).
Hogget Ewes: A Sproule £76, £72, £70, £668; P Conway £74, £69; B McCloskey £74, £73, £70; P Montague £72; B Swann £70.
Fat Ewes: P McGirr £52.50; A H etherington £41.50, £39.50; D Hempton £45.50; G O'Neill £38.80.
Store Lambs: D Moss £41.50; M Magee £40; P Robinson £35; D Baxter £38.20.
Closed period for nitrates
CHEMICAL fertiliser can be applied on land until September 14 as the Nitrates Regulations state that chemical nitrogen fertiliser must not be applied between September 15 and January 31. This "closed period" for spreading reflects both environmental factors and economic considerations.
