Recognising the very difficult conditions currently faced by dairy farmers, Lakeland Dairies has increased its milk price by 1.72 cents per litre to 37 cents per litre, including lactose bonus and the IDB hardship payment.

Windfarms in the midlands could lead to major job creation , according to several speakers at a wind energy conference in Tullamore last week.

THE IFA looks on windfarms as an economic benefit and is focussed on securing the best possible deal for farmers, the Energy Bridge Conference in Tullamore was told last week.

jill@jillkerby.ie

IFA President John Bryan has confirmed that consignments of hay sourced in France will be distributed to farmers through their co-ops, marts and merchants in western counties today and over the weekend.

IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey has called on Teagasc to immediately put in place an action plan to deal with the fall-out from the current fodder crisis and to ensure that the proper technical advice is given to Offaly farmers to ensure that the maximum forage can be achieved over the growing season in advance of next winter.

GTI. No other three letters mean so much to so many in the car world, even if you’re not into cars you’ll still be aware of those letters.

A group of 5th year Agricultural Science students from St. Brendan’s C.S. in Birr recently completed a Safe Tractor Driving Course which was run by FRS (Farm Relief Services) Roscrea. The course was given by Jim Dockery.

A number of Offaly restaurants picked up their awards at the Leinster Regional Final of the Santa Rita/ LIFE Magazine Irish Restaurant Awards took place in the new The Marker Hotel, Grand Canal Square on Monday.

Through their local sourcing policy, SuperValu, Ireland’s leading independent supermarket, is expecting to sell €58 million worth of National Dairy Council (NDC) Certified milk in 2013.

Breda O’Toole has recently been appointed Manager for Regional Business Development Midlands for IDA Ireland based in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

A mortgage arrears survey of 6,000 clients by MABS, the free money advice and budgeting service has found that contrary to the common view that the majority of the 95,000 mortgage arrears cases involve younger, first time buyers, instead, 70% of these indebted borrowers appear to be people aged between 41 and 65.