Herdwatch were awarded the Prince Philip Award 2016 at this years Livestock event in the UK which was in conjunction with the RABDF (The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers).
“My Easiest Bord Bia Audit Ever”
Brian Reidy, a suckler farmer from Ballylooby near Cahir in County Tipperary, calves down around 50 mostly Charolais Cows. Around 60% of these cows calve during the autumn months. Brian runs his own dairy and beef nutrition consultancy Premier Farm Nutrition as well as farming. This means that he spends a lot of time on the road which makes it even harder for him to keep on top of his farm compliance paperwork. Two years ago, Brian joined Herdwatch and found it was the solution to his problem, making life on the farm and on the road a whole lot easier for him.
Taking the stress out of the Bord Bia audits
With the Herdwatch app, Farmers can record all of their Bord Bia remedies for cattle and sheep. Brian says “I record all my treatments and feed purchases in Herdwatch as they happen”. The whole audit process can be a stressful time for farmers, however Brian found using the app made a big difference: “my last audit was so easy, he just went through the report I printed from Herdwatch while we had a coffee in the house”.
Get your cows back in calf quicker
Keeping a tight calving pattern can prove to be quite difficult when the majority of your cows are being served indoors, Brian now finds Herdwatch helps him greatly with this: “When I see a cow bulling, I record the heat in Herdwatch in advance of the breeding season”. Brian also loves the breeding reminders on the app: “I’m always checking Herdwatch for when a cow is due to repeat or for cows that have not come into heat yet”. Recording all his serves and scanning results in Herdwatch means that “there is no more rooting through pieces of paper or looking at excel sheets, it’s all there in the one app, that’s the beauty of Herdwatch”.
Calves registered in seconds
Brian explains how the app helps at calving time: “When I’m registering calves, I literally have all the information there in Herdwatch, so I can register the calves as I tag them”.
Rory Best, The Embrace Farm’s Ulster Ambassador and Sinead McLaughlin, a former Tyrone Ladies Football captain who sadly lost her Dad to a farming accident with Brian Rohan at the launch in Balmoral
Average Daily Gains at your fingertips
Knowing your animal’s average daily gain is the key to profitability, Brian finds this part of the app really effective: “It’s really handy, you can run a calf through the scales, put the weight into Herdwatch and it will calculate the average daily gain for you. I’m achieving an ADG of 1.2 to 1.4kg for my autumn calves”.
All your records in one place
Herdwatch lets you look at an animal’s history and make informed decisions, anytime, anywhere, even with no internet access. Brian’s father Pat also has Herdwatch on his phone which makes life even easier, “If I’m working away and he is wondering about a cow or a calf, he can just check it on his phone, it’s that easy, it’s all there on all our devices”.
Brian is part of a community of thousands of farmers using Herdwatch at only €99 per year. Get your 1 month free trial and see how Herdwatch will change the way you farm for the better!
A free trial is currently available on www.herdwatch.ie. For more info or to request a call back text ‘frs HW112’ + your name to 51444
Posted in FRS Archives
Article: The top Ten Safe Tractor Driving Tips
During this time of year it is vital to take extra care when operating your tractor on and off road. Statistics show that tractors and machinery are the main causes of farm accidents in Ireland. The fatality rate in agriculture is far higher than any other sector.
Tractors nowadays have become increasingly larger in size and much faster in speed making them more dangerous for drivers, especially inexperienced drivers. The vast majority of accidents occur when using a tractor on its own firstly and secondly when attaching or using it with other implements.
It is important to put safety first and take the necessary precautions when it comes to driving your tractor this summer. Here are the top ten tips to take into account for safe tractor driving:
1) Daily Checks: It is always important to carry out daily checks on your tractor before you drive it to ensure everything is in working order. Make sure the tractor is in safe operating condition. Check the lights are working, keep steps clean at all times for access and check the PTO and lift arm controls.
2) Safe Stop Procedure: Always practice the Safe Stop procedure. Cut back the throttle in good time, wait until the tractor has slowed down sufficiently, press clutch pedal, apply brakes gradually, always park in a suitable location, stop the engine and apply the handbrake, lower all hydraulically mounted equipment and finally remove the key.
3) Safe Tractor Position Method: Carry out the Safe Tractor Position Method. When getting in and out of the tractor always use access steps and hand supports, adjust seat position to operate controls comfortably and adjust mirror for clear view.
4) Keep tractor clear of hazards: Always keep floors, doors, pedals clear and keep your boots clean. Do not keep items like tools, draw bar pins, ropes etc on the cab floor as these cause easy distraction when driving and can cause accidents.
5) Be aware off all blind spots: When driving ensure that there is nobody near you before starting the engine, always watch out for people, obstacles and blind spots. Take time to clean windows and mirrors for visibility and always check that the brakes are locked together.
A group of students from CBS Thurles took part in the FRS Training and FBD Safety Tractor Driving Skills course recently. Each year the school arranged the course for its students. Contact FRS Training on 1890 20 1000 to arrange a course and visit www.frstraining.com for more details
6) Take your time and be aware: When driving never move the tractor off until you are fully aware of how all controls operate and where they are. Take your time and never rush when operating the tractor. Use throttle-correct procedure for slowing down, when reversing use mirrors and use the horn to warn by-standers. Lower your gears gradually when preparing to stop.
7) Use the correct hitch system: When hitching always make sure you use the right hitch system. Only use the controls from tractor seat and never stand between tractor and other machines or behind them. Never stand with your feet under or near draw bars and ensure that jacks, skids and other supports are used and maintained.
8) Experience is necessary when handling the tractor: It is advisable to have inexperienced people supervised when hitching and unhitching trailers and implements. Never get between a hydraulically mounted machine and the tractor or place your feet under parts that can collapse e.g. a drawbar.
9) Always check the terrain: When in the tractor and carrying out work always make sure the terrain over which the tractor is driven is free from hazards such as steep slopes or excavations.
10) Beware of danger from overhead lines: Tractors or machinery should never be operated if a danger from overhead electricity lines exist.
Safe Tractor Driving Skills
FRS Training are currently running a Safe Tractor Driving Skills Course which is sponsored by FBD trust. The course has proven extremely popular over the years with groups especially secondary schools throughout the country.
The main focus of the course is to teach young people how to operate and drive a tractor safely, with practical instruction being a key component of the training. The course covers PTO shaft safety, safe tractor control procedures, trailed equipment and safe tractor operations, and brings the awareness of safety back to the farm.
Embrace FARM Remembrance Service
The third annual Embrace FARM Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday June 26 in the church of The Most Holy Rosary in Abbeyleix. Embrace FARM was founded in 2014 to provide a bereavement support group for farm families who have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury in a farming accident. Visit www.embracefarm.com for more information.
Contact FRS
Contact FRS Training on 1890 20 1000 and visit www.frstraining.com for more information on Farm Safety courses.
Posted in FRS Archives
News: Exciting Business Development Manager Role
FRS Network is a farm service provider to the Irish Farming Industry since 1980 and now seeks an enthusiastic Business Development Manager to drive its business forward. This exciting opportunity will involve analysis of current and new business growth areas, strategic planning and delivery of results.
Role will include:
Operator recruitment planning and development
Analysis and development of growth strategies for current and new business opportunities
Use of IT and social media to drive business forward
Supporting and mentoring FRS managers and staff
Ideal candidate will have:
Proven record in people and business management
Development and delivery of strategic business plans with proven results
2-3 years experience
Good communication skills
Enthusiastic and motivated about the role
Own car and full drivers licence
Academic business background and a background in the Agricultural Industry would be beneficial
Please e-mail CV to scoughlan@frsrecruitment.com
Posted in FRS Archives
Sprayer Training Course gives Farmers a whole new perspective
Ruaidhrí Deasy is a tillage farmer from Borrisokane in County Tipperary who completed his boom sprayer course with FRS Training. Ruaidhrí found the course itself to be extremely worthwhile and would encourage other farmers to do it. He learned things he never knew before even after having sprayed for 45 years.
“When I first heard about the spray compliance requirements I thought ‘, not another compliance thing – I have been spraying for 45 years’, but I learned a lot on the course. The main thing was on the protective clothing, such as the gloves and masks which we now use all the time when spraying and how to read the labels to know the various harmful toxins.”
The Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) stipulates that all professional users such as farmers and distributers of plant protection products, are now required to be trained and registered with the department before they spray. The training involved focuses on pesticide application which includes Boom Sprayers and Knapsack Sprayers. Farmers need to ensure that they are compliant.
Jim Dockery is a training manager with FRS and commented; “We have trained over 12,500 people to date through our QQI Pesticide Application Course which is compulsory for all professional users, including farmers under the new SUD.
Jim noticed that a lot of farmer’s attitudes towards the training changed after completing the course.
“Many farmers admitted that they were attending because they had to or they thought they would not be able to purchase pesticides if they didn’t, but after the course their attitudes shifted completely. Many realised they knew very little about the sprayer, it’s parts or how to calibrate it at all.”
The farmers that completed the course learned a lot about the sprayer and nozzles , the timing of the spray and how to interpret rates and volumes. Jim said that one farmer said to him; ‘Jim since last week I measured my sprayer nozzles on the 2000l trailed sprayer and realised that 10% of my nozzles were way out, I reckon this course could save me €20,000 over the year with additional spray costs as I spray over 600 acres of tillage.”
Another Tilage farmer, Tony Bell from North Dublin also attended the FRS Training Course organised through NAD (National Agrochemical Distributors) and was host farm for the course. Tony himself has a new 24 meter boom sprayer with a 3,200 litre tank and acknowledges how important it actually is to do the course.
“I am passionate about not wasting time around the farm and I want to get the job done as effectively as possible. Although I have been spraying for about 30 years, doing the spraying course with FRS kept my knowledge topped up and this is important in order to do things right and I believe through repetition you become more effective.”
Trainer Jim Dockery also noticed that from speaking to farmers, recording the use of pesticides to be compliant is an issue for them.
“Feedback from farmers told us that recording the use of pesticides to be compliant is a big issue for them. Many did not know where to find or how to complete the sprayer application field record and very few realised this was already part of cross compliance since 2012. FRS have consulted with the department of Agriculture and has developed an easy way for completing field records on your phone. Visit www.herdwatch.ie for all information.”
What does the future hold for Sprayer Compliance?
The next compliance directive is only around the corner with the deadline on November 26th 2016. Basically it is similar to an NCT for a car only it’s for your sprayer and FRS training have built up a team of engineer inspectors who are qualified and registered with the department to deliver this on farm service to farmers.
Under Irish legislation all sprayers must be tested once before the coming November 26th deadline. The test will cover the sprayer until 2020. After that a test will be carried out every three years after 2020. This legislation refers to all boom sprayers (above 3m) and blast/orchard sprayers.
Many advantages come with the testing of sprayers outside of being compliant:
- Testing will regulate and rationalise the amount of spray which will reduce waste and save money.
- The chance of mid-season breakdown is also reduced if your sprayer is tested.
- When it comes to NCT, for resale purposes, your sprayer will greatly benefit from the test if in proper working order with official certification.
- Testing your sprayer will protect you, your operator, employees and general public from health and safety risks associated with pesticides.
Contact FRS Training on 1890 20 1000 or visit www.frstraining.com for further information on sprayer training, testing and other courses.
Further information on registration and training an also all hard copies of registration forms are available on www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie
Posted in FRS Archives
Award-Winning Farm App Now Tackles New Spray Compliance
Herdwatch, the farm compliance app currently in use by thousands of farmers nationally, has just announced new features to assist Irish farmers with spray reporting requirements.
Developed in response to farmer demand, the new app allows farmers to effectively manage farm compliance anywhere on any device (smartphone, tablet or computer).
Jim Dockery, FRS Training Manager said ‘We have trained over 12,500 people through our QQI Pesticide Application Course which is compulsory for all professional users, including farmers, under the new Sustainable Use Directive. From experience and feedback from farmers recording the use of pesticides to be compliant is a big issue for them and Herdwatch has developed an easy way for this to be done through the App on your phone saving farmers time and hassle. We will definitely be recommending it at our training courses and are confident that it will solve this spray recording problem for farmers in the future.
With over 3,000 farmers nationally using Herdwatch, the focus is on assisting farmers, not only to accurately report on compliance, but also save time on previously lengthy paperwork requirements.
The app provides assistance not only with spray reporting, but also helps livestock farmers with Bord Bia remedy and feed purchases recording, calf birth registrations, weight recording, and the full breeding cycle.
A free trial is available for those looking to test the app out, with app founder Fabien Peyaud encouraging farmers to embrace technology to help simplify farm management.
“The free trial allows farmers to see for themselves what Herdwatch can do, and we also have a dedicated support team to deal with any queries.” Fabien said. “The app is available for Apple and Android devices and our team are constantly working to develop the features in response to new farmer demands.”
The Herdwatch app was launched in 2014 by FRS (Farm Relief Services), and has since won numerous prestigious awards such as the National Ploughing Championship Award for Software Innovation in Agriculture, and the AIB Start-up Academy award.
Posted in FRS Archives
You have to make time to get away
Farming in Ireland today is recorded as being not only one of the most dangerous occupations but also one of the most demanding with statistics showing that farmers continue to work the longest hours per week. It requires a lot of time and dedication and so many farmers every year continue to farm without taking a break. Not only does their family time suffer but also their health.
Jeremy O’ Hanlon from Cloyne in county Cork has been farming all his life. His farm is spread across 120 acres which demands a lot of time and effort on a daily basis.
“I could easily spend up to 75 hours a week if not more working on the farm, it never stops.”
For Jeremy and his wife Anne family life is very important. Every summer without fail they take the three children Shane, Sarah and Áine on holidays. They have been going on holidays since they got married almost 18 years ago and from the get go they have used Farm Relief Services to take care of the work on the farm while they are away.
“I got married in 1998 so ever since then I have been using Farm Relief to take care of the farm while I am away. Ever since we started going on holidays, I would call FRS and they would always send someone reliable out to me that would get the work done.”
Farm Relief has always played a strong role in Jeremy’s life as his dad also used farm relief whenever he needed help on the farm.
“My dad was involved with Farm Relief too and if he ever got sick he use to ring them to come and help him or to cover for him if he was in hospital.”
Jeremy thinks it is vital for farmers nowadays to take a well-deserved break during the summer months. Not only is it beneficial to the Farmer’s health it gives the farmer some quality time with the family.
“I think it’s so important for farmers to take a break during the summer months, your so strained and tired constantly you need it. If you don’t take a break you are going to be stuck on the farm all year long and it’s not good for you. It’s great to get away and you have to make the time to get away. It’s great for all the family too.”
The same FRS operator, James Barry, has been coming to Jeremy’s farm for the past 6 or 7 years and has never let him down. Jeremy feels confident leaving for holidays knowing that he can put his trust in him to get the work done and have his mind at ease during his time away.
“I have the same lad, James, coming to me for the past 6 or 7 years so he knows the ropes. I’m delighted to be getting the same lad every year. I’m happy with that because I know he will get the job done and I can enjoy the holiday knowing that there’s a confident guy there running the show.”
Jeremy and his family have plans already in place for this summer having booked a week away in the Netherlands. Plans have been made with Farm Relief who will be sending his usual reliable operator out to the farm to run the show whilst he is away.
“This summer we are going to the Netherlands for 8 days and we are really looking forward to it. I have everything sorted with farm relief. I always ring them in good time to let them know when I will be going but everything always runs so smoothly they do a great job and I would never look back.”
FRS are there to tend to the farmers needs during any time of the year when farmers wish to take a break from farming life. Trained workers are sent out to the farm to cover all the farm work which guarantees to put the farmer’s minds at ease.
To find out more about farm relief services visit www.farmrelief.ie
Posted in FRS Archives
Working as an FRS Operator
With 20 offices nationwide Farm Relief Services are strong employers. Spring and summer are the busiest times of the year for FRS. Recent surveys carried out show that there is a requirement for approximately 200 workers for seasonal roles. Relief workers are needed for milking, general farm work and calf rearing positions that generally last three to four months.
Being an FRS operator is a flexible role which suits people in many areas such as young people looking for experience, those with spare capacity outside of their own farm work and even women who can work while their children are at school.
TJ Heffernan started working with FRS in Cahir fifteen years ago and has never looked back. TJ himself had farming experience with a background in farming having farmed all his life. Whilst working with FRS TJ became an operator going out and working on farms on a daily basis.
“I had been farming all of my life myself, but basically what I came in doing first was milking and I didn’t need any training on the milking because I was always milking myself”.
Although TJ did not need training with the milking, FRS provides training to all new operators starting within the business. Over the years with FRS TJ started Freeze branding and was trained how to properly do it by the FRS trainers before going out on the farm. Although he would put his hand to anything on the farm, these days TJ mainly specialises in Freeze branding and Plastic collection.
“After a few years I went into Freeze branding, that’s what I am at mostly for the past 12 years and FRS provided all the training for that which was great. I also do the plastic collection too which keeps me going”.
FRS are always there to help their customers out, when the farmers ring they know exactly what they need and want and so send the operators out that will suit their exact needs. TJ said at times you could spend up to five hours a day on a farm all depending on the work load.
“You could spend up to four or five hours at any given time on the farm, it all depends on how many animals are in the place but generally it takes about three hours”.
FRS are continuously looking for people to come along and join the team. There is a need for workers all the time as they are in high demand by the farmers particularly during this busy season. TJ thinks that working with FRS is great and the fact that they provide training is even better.
“Working as an operator with FRS is great and more people should be looking into getting work with them, they provide the training too which is excellent. I think lads coming out of college should definitely be looking into it even on a part time basis”.
If you are interested in becoming a FRS operator head to our website and fill out the online application form www.farmrelief.ie/careers
Posted in FRS Archives
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