STROKE OF LUCK

Independent; but would be considered a very modern shed and the top side of the slat looks like it is in great condition, but I suppose 30 years or so is the lifetime of any slat.

There is always some problem waiting around the corner to jump out at you. They will last a few more years, but it is something that will have to be kept an eye on and budgeted for. The only plus is they should be eligible for TAMs funding to replace them.

Tyre collection

Last Saturday I availed of the waste tyre collecting Irish Independent/ service at Athenry Mart. It is a great service for farmers at a subsidised rate of €15 per tonnes for the first three tonnes.

It is great that funding is in place to recycle this unused farm waste. The only disadvantage was the distance to travel to the collection point. There are only four collection centres. With the excellent mart structure in place, maybe we should be making more use of the marts as service points for farmers.

On the sheep side of the farm, the rams were introduced to the ewes on Irish October 6.

This is up to two weeks later than last year.

It’s a small change in management to try and lower labour demand and have the ewes lambing closer to the spring grass.

There are now only 58 lambs left on the farm and they are on 300gm per head per day of lamb finisher with good quality grass. The cost of the meal will be a small investment if these sheep are sold before the winter settles in.

John Joyce farms at Carrigahorig, Nenagh, Co Tipperary