Agriculture is the anchor of the rural economy, particular in counties like Cavan and Monaghan. That's according to Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue who visited the Breffni County yesterday. During his travels, the Minister attended Ballyhaise College for the annual Grassland Farmer of the Year awards. Minister McConalgue also visited the board of Lakeland Dairies to discuss ways in which the dairy sector can be taken forward.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the Fianna Fail representative praised the "progressive" work of Lakeland Dairies which is now the country's second largest co-operative. Minister McConalgue also addressed the concerns raised by local farmers over the detrimental impact that poor weather conditions is having. According to Minister McConalogue, weather effects "everyone" but it means "everything" in terms of farming.
"You can't drain the water off the fields or stop the rain falling on it. It's been really difficult in terms of getting animals out to grass, hopefully we will see that resolve in the time ahead. I'm working closely with farming stakeholders, organisations and the co-ops to make sure that we're supporting farmers through it. Agriculture is the anchor really of the rural economy, particularly here in Cavan and Monaghan. It's always good to come here because there is always such an industrious and entrepreneurial community in both Cavan and Monaghan at the centre of that is the pig industry, poultry, mushrooms, milk, sheep and cattle."
