Rural Life
%%excerpt%% A young Mayo craftsman is carrying on a tradition of basketmaking, started by his grandfather Davey Delaney.
Machinery Focus
Harvesting willow at Gurteen College is undertaken by a standard harvester with a specialised head. Agriland takes a look at the system.
Environment
Gurteen College is set to run a new bioenergy course this summer - and is looking for prospective participants to get in touch.
Any efforts to grow willow for biomass production need more Government support - to the same level as forestry, one grower has said.
Tillage
Arable farmers will not be scapegoated again with another hare-brained scheme, according to the Irish Grain Growers' Group (IGGG).
Agri-Business
Bord na Mona (BNM) will offer 15-year contracts for project developers supplying biomass, the company's CEO Mike Quinn has announced.
Farmers travelled from all corners of the country to hear of the potential advantages that growing renewable crops and the implementation of other renewable technologies may offer their businesses.
N.Ireland
The Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) hosted a recent National Trust Land Management Forum meeting at Loughgall, Co. Armagh.
The Department of Agriculture is currently examining the feasibility of introducing a new Willow scheme.
Only four applications were made this year to the Department of Agriculture's dedicated scheme to support bio-energy crops including willow.
The opening of the new Bio-Energy (Willow) Scheme 2015 which includes a 40% start up grant has been announced by the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.
