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Thurles All Ireland Tractor Challenge Tomorrow

An attempt at the All Ireland Tractor Challenge and Guinness World Record will take place at the Turnpike, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tomorrow.
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Committee and promoters of the the All Ireland Tractor Challenge, latter which will take place at the Turnpike, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tomorrow.

The “All Ireland Tractor Challenge” and Guinness World Record attempt, sponsored by Supermac’s, will take place at the Turnpike, Two Mile Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tomorrow (Sunday May 3rd) beginning at 11.30am.

Last year, in a similar attempt, some 1100 tractors turned up at the Thurles Racecourse, Nenagh Rd, Thurles, Co Tipperary, in an attempt to beat the current existing record, latter which stands at 1232 tractors. All tractors, vintage or otherwise, are still being welcomed, so have you entered your tractor in this event?

Note: Your entry can still be accepted by contacting Michael Fahey (Mobile 087-2712967) or T.J. Donnelly (Mobile 087-9855745) or Chris Verling (Mobile 083-4156785).

Note: This Tractor Challenge Guinness World Record Attempt tomorrow is not only just about a world record breaking attempt, it is also about a great social day out for all the family, with full proceeds going to North Tipperary Hospice (Suirhaven) Cancer Support Centre and the Cameo Care Dementia Respite Unit; both two worthy local Thurles Charities.

There will be Tug of War events, numerous prizes for the best 1950’s outfits for male’s, females and children attending; there will be Bouncy Castles, Amusement Rides, together with an abundance of stalls of all shapes and sizes.  Stalls will include Aloe Vera, Novelty Cakes, Stakelums, Mo Cara Animal Rescue, Hayes Yoghurt’s & Cheese’s, Thurles Men’s Sheds, Latteragh Crafts, Farmers Markets, Morrelli Sports Wear, Shannon Ices, just to name a few and all fully supporting this massive event.

Expect to brush shoulders with celebrity stars of sport, stage and screen; e.g. Rugby’s John Hayes & Denis Leamy, Alison Brolan (Munster’s Rose of Tralee contestant) and Derek from ‘Crystal Swing’.  Thurles natives Una Foden (Healy) of ‘The Saturdays’ and Comedian Pat Shortt are also expected to drop in sometime during the course of the day’s events.

Some 300 tractors have already arrived on site for parking at the Turnpike and same will remain over night under strict security, to await the larger contingent of vehicles expected to arrive early tomorrow

For further information see All Ireland Tractor Challenge and please do support this truly worthwhile charity event.

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Tipperary Companies Among First To Supply US Beef

Nenagh Agri-ShowThe ABP Food Group, which has processing plants close to the towns of Nenagh and Cahir, in Co Tipperary, will be the first European company to supply beef to the US in 17 years, with first shipments expected to commence in March 2015.

The is the first deal to supply Irish beef to the American market, since a 15 year ban was lifted just late last year.

According to ABP, this deal was facilitated by Pallas Foods a subsidiary of Sysco Corporation and will see ABP supply Sysco Metro New York and Sysco Boston with beef, which will be sold to restaurants and steak houses initially, thus providing grass fed, hormone free Irish beef onto the plates of US consumers.

Sysco is an American multinational corporation involved in both the marketing and distribution of food products to hospitality businesses such as restaurants, hotels and inns, including healthcare and educational facilities and boasting 194 distribution facilities and 425,000 customers.

For their part, ABP Group is one of Europe’s leading privately owned food processors, with operations spanning Ireland, the UK and Continental Europe controlled by its founder Larry Goodman. Here in Ireland ABP operate six large beef-processing facilities and is one of Europe’s leading beef exporters, while accounting for around a quarter of our national annual animal kill.

The US consumes some 11.5 billion kg of beef each year, 10% of which comes from imports and later today International chefs will cook Irish beef at a special event to be held at a Michelin starred restaurant in Manhattan.

The deal was announced today as part of the trade promotional visit being headed up by the Minister for Agriculture Mr Simon Coveney and Bord Bia.

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Farming News Nov 2014

Health and Safety Authority is to be given new powers to improve farm safety.

tipp-farmingWith 24 farm deaths so far this year, at long last young children are now to be banned from travelling in tractors or other similar farm machinery.

The Health and Safety Authority is to be given sweeping new powers to improve farm safety.

Tougher new measures, expected to be introduced shortly, will mean farmers can be prosecuted for a range of safety breaches, including transporting children under seven years old in tractor cabs or other similar farm vehicles.

Almost three-quarters of all farm accidents this year were caused as a result of coming into contact with machinery.

A focus is also expected to be placed on other farm areas such as uncovered slurry pits.

Possible deal agreed between farmers and meat factories at beef talks.

Nenagh Agri-ShowAgreement has been reached on a deal between farmers and meat factories at beef talks overnight.

With two major protests have taken place at meat plants across Tipperary in recent weeks, at facilities in Roscrea, Nenagh and Cahir, a list of key actions have now been agreed in principal, aimed at addressing the recent concerns of beef farmers, including issues concerning weight specifications.

There are to be no price penalties based on weight until the end of next year and beef processors will provide a price incentive for animals from Quality Assured farms with effect from January1st next.

In a statement, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) stated it was pleased to see movement on its key demands, while the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have stated that recent beef protest sent a clear message to meat factory bosses that farmers must be treated fairly and with respect due.

The accepted concessions have still to be agreed by all parties in the IFA, but farmers at the talks appear to agree that this new deal represents the best possible outcome from their recent negotiations.

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Highest Quality Irish Milk Is Produced In Thurles

Popular local young farmer Mr Thomas Dwan, aged 26, together with his parents Eddie and Ann, latter residing on their 105-cow farm at Bohernamona Road, Thurles, Co Tipperary have won this year’s National Dairy Council (NDC) and Kerrygold Quality Milk Award.

The eco-friendly Thurles farming family were presented with their €5,000 first prize and the national perpetual trophy by Kilkenny hurling legend and ten times All Ireland hurling champion Henry Shefflin, at the national awards ceremony held in Dublin’s RDS yesterday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Thomas stated that it was a proud moment for all of his family; and he was particularly delighted to bring a national trophy back to his home town of Thurles.

Eddie (father) and Thomas Dwan (son) work as a team with all of their milk from the farm being purchased by Centenary Co-Op Creamery here in Thurles.

Other National Finalists from Tipperary commemorated at this awards ceremony were: Mr Michéal Crowe & family, Parkroe, Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary (Tipperary Co-op) and Eoin Toohey, Cullenwaine, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary, (Arrabawn Co-op), which demonstrates the high quality of milk currently being produced here in Ireland within the Premier County.

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Upperchurch Residents Challenge Wind Farm Development

UpperchurchMr Justice Michael Peart yesterday granted an ex parte application for leave to bring a judicial review in a High Court challenge brought against An Bord Pleanála in the granting of planning permission for a Wind Farm here in Co Tipperary.

Mr Edward Buckley, Gurtnara, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co Tipperary and Ms Edel Grace, Grousehall, Milestone, Thurles, Co Tipperary have sought the judicial review following the granting of permission for this proposed development at Upperchurch, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

The permission had been previously granted for 22 turbines, with a hub height of 81.6m and an overall height of 126.6m, together with an access road and buildings.

In these proceedings taken against An Bord Pleanála, Mr Buckley and Ms Grace requested orders quashing the boards decision of August 12th last, latter which granted a ten year permission period to Ecopower to install and run the proposed Wind Farm.

Both applicants claim that An Bord Pleanála acted outside of their powers and are therefore in breach of the provisions of the 2000 Planning and Development Act and the EU Council Habitats Directive of 1992. In moving this application, Mr David Browne BL stated that the challenge was brought on grounds that permission was granted after Mr Buckley having withdrawn his written consent for his lands to be used as part of this proposed development. It was understood that this proposed development had required Mr Buckley’s lands to gain an access road at Knocknameena, Upperchurch, Mr Browne stated.

Both applicants argued that this decision had breached EU directives on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora and that An Bord Pleanála had failed to correctly conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment prior to giving consent in the granting of permission to this development.

Ecopower Developments Ltd and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht are notice parties to these proceedings.

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