Settlement Ponds
While there are strict rules and regulations around the collection and storage of animal waste on farms, the dirt and muck that ends up in the farmyard is often forgotten about. In Offaly, a pilot scheme
is offering farmers the opportunity to put in settlement ponds close to their yards to
help prevent any pollution from entering nearby watercourses. Helen Carroll went
to two farms in the area, one which had a pond put in last November, and a second
farm where a pond was being put in on the day she visited.
A Day In The Life of a Jockey
As Cheltenham rolls around again, Darragh Mc Cullough spent the day with one of Ireland’s up and coming young jockeys, 22 year old Darragh O’Keeffe from Doneraile in Co. Cork. Darragh
met Darragh at the crack of dawn at the yard of trainer Enda Bolger near Bruree in Co. Limerick where he was exercising horses that morning, before heading on to Punchestown in Co. Kildare where he had four aces that afternoon. It’s a fascinating insight into the daily grind of a jobbing jockey as they work to
forge a career in one of the toughest businesses around.
Alpacas
South African born Andrew Chilton runs a family farm with organic beef and veg
in North Roscommon. Ten years ago he also started farming and breeding
alpacas. Now with a herd of over 40 high quality animals, he sells them as live animals and utilises their valuable fleece to produce pillows and bedding. Ella McSweeney pays a visit to Knockvicar Alpaca Farm to find out how these animals, originally from South America, are taking to the Irish climate
