CountryWide Saturday 14 October 2017
People, events and happenings around the country, presented by Speech Broadcaster of the Year Damien O'Reilly.
It was of course budget week & farmers were up in arms about the commercial stamp duty increase which will impact on sales of farmland. Reporter Daniel Clancy of Grey Heron Media went to the mart in Listowel to ask farmers what they made of the budget.
A new survey published this week reveals that there are a staggering 50,000 farms in Ireland with an average income of just under 3,000 euros. Dr Emma Dillon of Teagasc joins us from Athlone studio. Also on the line we have Jennifer O'Connell who will be presenting a new two part TV series Under Pressure exploring the science of stress & looking to hear from farmers.
For further info of the new tv series 'Under Pressure' - Telephone 089.488.5769 or email info@firebrand.ie
A really hot issue for many in agriculture & elsewhere is the safety of Glyphosate - the weedkiller produced by Agri firm Monsanto & the most widely used in the World. It was discussed at a meeting of the EU agri & environment committee in Brussels this week. Joining me now to discuss this are two highly successful farmers with very different takes, Louis McAuley is an arable farmer from County Meath who does not support the ban. Rod Calder-Potts runs one of Irelands best known & multi Award winning Artisan food brands, Highbank Orchards in Cuffesgrange Kilkenny.
A story of how literally a dream became reality for a young farming couple. Damien visits the goat farm of Paul & Amy Davis just outside Dunmore in Co. Galway. Plus Georgina Campbell, President of the Irish Food Writers Guild & publisher of Georgina Campbells Food Guide joins Damien on the line.
Speech Broadcaster of the Year Damien O'Reilly and the CountryWide team feature the events, people and happenings that bring colour and life to communities, towns and villages across the country.
Presenter: Damien O'Reilly
Producer: Ian Wilson