Ear to the Ground – Series 26, Episode 4, Thursday 22nd November at 8.30 PM on RTÉ One.
SHORE WARS
Plans for a large-scale oyster farm on the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal have sparked heated opposition from local farmers, horse breeders and hospitality businesses. Ardara in Co.Donegal, a heritage town on the scenic West Coast, is the site of a proposed aquaculture development.
Ella McSweeney visits a working oyster farm in Summerhill, Donegal Town to hear how brothers Conor and Damien Reid grow the valuable shellfish for export to France and the Far East. They applied for a license to farm in 2009, and it is just now being considered by the Department of Agriculture. However, locals are determined to resist the farm, convinced that the natural amenity of the strand will be spoiled.
FIELDS of GOLD
After several years of poor prices and poor yields, things were different this year for Kildare grain grower Olwyn Owens. The fine weather helped her save a high-quality grain crop, and with yields down across Europe, prices for both grain and straw were boosted this year. We also meet Teagasc crop specialist Michael Hennessy, who gives his take on the grain market going forward.
Helen Carroll meets Olwyn and her father Liam on the farm in Athy as the combines roll through fields of gold.
BACK LIFT
Over 28% of farmers have lower back pain and, after spinal surgery, Galway suckler farmer Gerry Daly found he was unable to lift a newborn calf to revive him. The valuable calf died, and Gerry began to think how he could have saved him with a simple winch. Six prototypes later, and with help from fellow Galway farmer and entrepreneur John Concannon, Gerry is ready to go to market with his calf winch and save calves and foals next spring. Darragh McCullough visits the farm in Killimor, Co Galway and discovers why farmers make good inventors.
Ear to the Ground broadcasts on RTÉ One, Thursdays at 8.30pm. Repeat 13.10pm Sunday. Produced by indiepics for RTÉ.
Further Information:
TVPR
Ann Coughlan 00 353 87 6778045
Pauline Cronin 00 353 87 2629967