Grass utilisation, agri-finance issues and legal matters are some of the key topics set to be discussed at an upcoming Knowledge Transfer (KT) event in the midlands.

Participants in the KT Programme across the beef, sheep, dairy, equine and tillage sectors are welcome to attend the event which is being organised by Paul Belton of Midland Agri Consultants.

The event is scheduled to take place in Granard Farmer’s Mart, Co. Longford, on Thursday, November 23, at 7:30pm.

Information will be provided on recent developments across a broad range of areas within the agri sector, according to the organisers. These are set to include: grassland productivity and utilisation; agri-finance, including farm loan applications; accounting and tax planning; succession planning; and other legal matters.

Presentations

A range of speakers will give presentations at the event, which will be opened by Charlotte Kearney of Granard Farmer’s Mart.

One of the speakers at the event will be Ciaran Brady of KBG accountants, who has more than 25 years of experience in advising on tax, accounting and corporate finance matters.

Brady is set to discuss the benefit of incorporation for farmers, tax matters relevant to farm succession planning including the various reliefs available under Irish tax law, farming partnerships and stock relief availability.

Meanwhile, Alan Hurst – a technical and product manager with Lakeland Dairies – is expected to demonstrate how increasing grassland productivity and utilisation can be used to improve farm efficiency and profitability.

Some interesting insights on the data collected by Lakeland Agri over the last five years and how this data has been used to increase farm output and correct any imbalances present in the soil will also be shared by Hurst, event organisers added.

One of the other speakers scheduled to be present at the event is Eamonn O’Reilly of AIB. He has more than 19 years’ experience in the agri-finance sector and is responsible for agri-lending within AIB in the 15 northern counties.

During his presentation, O’Reilly is expected to share practical advice on the changing dynamics of agri-lending as well as the agri-loan application process – including keys to successful applications, common pitfalls and how they may be overcome.

Information on various legal matters which commonly arise in the agri-sector will be provided at the event by Karen M Clabby of Karen M Clabby solicitors.

With over 15 years’ experience, Clabby will discuss topics such as: wills, probate and succession planning; site transfers and self-build projects; land purchase and leasing; and rights of way and title matters.

Anyone who has a query in relation to the event is asked to contact Paul Belton – who operates as Midland Agri Consultants, serving a large area of the midlands and north-west – on: 087-6916822.

Belton hails from a beef farming background and is a qualified agricultural consultant from Bunlahy, Co. Longford.