Farming must go on to keep the food chain supplied in these strange times

THESE are indeed strange times in Ireland and around the World as countries around the Globe try to come to grips with the Coronavirus.

However, farming and agricultural related activities continue on in Ireland and Co. Sligo. Cows are calving, sheep lambing and hopefully with an improvement in weather farmers can start getting fertiliser out on the land.

LAND LEASES:

The business end of farming cannot be ignored despite the challenges of the Coronavirus. Land is sought after for farming expansion and Roger McCarrick Auctioneer reports very strong demand for land rental. Many young farmers with Green Certs are seeking land to establish a Herd Number of their own, and land rental values on average are running at €150 -

€200 per acre for new good quality land leases. The preferred option for leases is a minimum of 5 years or more, and Roger McCarrick recommends this for owners also as it makes the rental income tax free. It also gives security of tenure to the tenant who can then improve the lands that will benefit both owner and tenant.

If you are approaching retirement and own land, then leasing land is an option well worth considering. Roger McCarrick will be happy to have a confidential discussion with you to help review your options.

ENTITLEMENTS:

As well as land leases and sales going on at present, REA McCarrick & Sons are now busy doing sales and leases of Entitlements. Entitlements are attached to the land, and if they are NOT claimed by either the owner or another farmer, they will be lost back to the National Reserve. A big trade occurs during April in the lease and sale of Entitlements. If you are farming land with No entitlements, then you should lease in or purchase in entitlements to maximise your income off the land.

LAND SALES:

Relatively speaking, very little land comes to the market for outright sale, but REA McCarrick & Sons are strong agents in Co. Sligo dealing with much of the land sales. Land values depend on quality, location and a variety of other factors, and Roger McCarrick points out that there is a customer for everything, no matter how good or bad the proposal. Mr. McCarrick will welcome a meeting to discuss your options in confidence.

Farming must go on to keep the food chain supplied in these strange times.