West Cork Resource Survey

WEST CORK RESOURCE SURVEY AN FORAS TALUNTAIS First published May 1963 Reprinted August 1965 Prepared by An Foras Taluntais (The Agricultural Institute) 33 Merrion Road, Dublin 4 Copies of the report may be obtained from the Library at the above address. Price £1 (U.S. $2.80) FOBEWCBD In 1960, the West Cork Development Association in conjunction with other local rural organisations in West Cork, concerned about the rate of depopulation and general low level of agricultural development in that area, requested the assistance of An Foras Taluntais. On considering the matter it was felt that the way in which we, as a research organisation, could best contribute would be through a comprehensive survey of the agricultural resources of the area. While there was a certain background of information on such problems as emigration and farm resources and income, this knowledge was of a very general nature, the position in this respect being similar to that for many other such areas of the country. There was no precise information on such matters as the nature and distribution of the different types of land, on present levels of soil fertility and productivity, on grassland output and animal production, on farm incomes, on educational levels or on the social background in the rural community. The carrying out of a sufficiently comprehensive resource survey presented a formidable task. There was little knowledge on the methodology of such comprehensive surveys either here or elsewhere. Previous surveys had been confined to particular, single aspects such as soils, land use and farm costings. At the time our organisation was only a relatively short while in existence, many of our staff having been freshly recruited, while on the other hand it was realised that the type of survey contemplated would require the collective efforts of people in a wide variety of disciplines covering the physical, economic and human aspects. Against this background the Council of An Foras Taluntais decided on the carrying out of an agricultural resources survey in the area. It was appreciated that in many respects this survey would be of an exploratory nature and that while providing information on the resources as such, it would in addition aid in establishing the survey methodology required for future surveys of this nature, which surveys are a prerequisite for the optimum use of land resources. (ii) While we appreciate that the knowledge provided in the Report now presented is in a number of respects incomplete, the primary objectives of the survey in providing more detailed and precise knowledge on the resources - both land and people - in the area have, however, largely been achieved. It must be added that it was never the intention to nmV-A concrete proposals for the future development of the area on the understanding that the responsibility for doing this rests elsewhere. It is hoped that the information now presented will be of value as a basis for guiding future developments in the area. Finally, it is a pleasure to be associated with the highly merited acknowledgement given below. In addition I would like to commend the efforts of the Working Party who embarked on and completed this task with so much energy and enthusiasm. T. Walsh Director. April, 1963. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Working Party acknowledges the wholehearted co-operation and assistance of: The West Cork Development Association who were instrumental in requesting the Survey, and in particular Rev. Pr. D. Linehan, Mr. II. Boland and Mr. D. Allen; the Agricultural and Horticultural Advisory Officers in the area; the Managers and Committees of the Drinagh Co-operativ- Creamery, the West Cork Creameries (Dairy Disposals, Ltd.), the Lissavaird Co-operative Creamery, and the Managers of the various branches of these Creameries; special thanks are due to Mr. W. Quirke (Drinagh), Mr. P.J. Kerrisk (Aghadown) and Mr. J. Kiely (Lissavaird). Thanks are also due to the local Veterinary Surgeons, and the managements of the local (iii) iznackeries for infomation supplied; to Mr. D. McCarthy, Superintendent Registrar, Skibbereen; and to Dr. C. Gannon, Superintendent, Clonakilty Agricultural College, for his assistance with-fee harvesting of experimental plots in the area. Special thanks are due to the local people (both rural and urban), particularly those who so kindly co-operated in the various surveys carried out; to the farmers who provided the necessary land for field experiments, and who provided the crop yield plots; to those who facilitated the general aoil survey of the area, and the surveys cf selected farms, Without the wholehearted co-operation of these people the Survey would not have been possible. Grateful acknowledgement is also due to the Department of Agriculture (particularly Mr, J. Beatty, Chief Inspector, and the staffs of the Land Project,, the Congested Districts Office, and the Farm Buildings, and Feedingstuffs Section); to the Department of Lands (both Forestry and Fisheries Sections), to the Director of the Central Statistics Office for making much data available to" members of the .working Party; to the Geological Survey (particularly Mr. F.H. Synge); to the Ordnance Survey for permission to U3e base maps of the aroa, and for assistance in the reproduction of maps; to the Director of the Jteteorological Service for data on the climate of the Survey area; and to Professors C, Boyle and P. Quinlan, University College, Cork, for assistance rendered. The working Party appreciates the continued guidance, stimulation and help of the Director,. Dr. T, tfalsh,and the excellent collaboration of fellow research workers of An Foras Taluntais, including the editorial work of Dr. D. Murphy, arxl would also like to express its gratitude to members of the Cartographic Section, Johnstown Castle, and to various members of the staffs of the Soils laboratories, Johnstown Castle, for analytical data supplied«. Miss Eileen Ward and Miss Carmel Barr of the Secretarial staff merit a special word of thanks for the part they played in the preparation of this Report, (iv) This Report has been prepared in four sections covering broadly different aspects of the Surrey findings: Section A - Physical Resources of the Survey Area Section B - Some Aspects of the Present Agricultural Production Pattern in the Survey Area Section C - Economic, Demographic and Sociological Aspects of the Survey Area Section D - Suooary and Conclusions TABLE 0F CONTENTS SECTION A Introduction P. Ryan, B.Agr.Sc., M.S. A - 1 Topography and Land Forms M. Conry, B.Agr.Sc. A - 4 Geology M. Conry and P. Ryan A - 5 Clim ate S. Diamond, B.Agr.Sc. A - 10 Soils M. Conry and P. Ryan A - 15 Soil Survey of Special Farms J. Lee, B.Agr.Sc. A - 44 Soil Fertility P. McDonnell, B.Agr.Sc.,U.S. A - 54 SECTION B Crop Husbandry K. Neenan, M.Agr.Sc, Ph.D. B - 1 Horticulture J.G.D. Lamb,B.Agr.Sc.(Kort.),Ph.D.B - 14 O.Goodman,M.Agr.Sc.(Hort.),Ph.D. Grassland (Introduction; Part 1 - Grassland Production B - W.B. Murphy, B.Agr.Sc. M. Neenan, M.Agr.Sc.,Ph.D Part 11 - Clover Nodule Bacteria Survey 3-43 C.L. Masterson,B.Agr.Sc.(Hort.) Part 111- Grassland Management and Utilisation B - 45 A. Conway, B.Agr.Sc. T. Nolan, B.Agr.Sc. SECTION B (Contd.) Livestock Production in the Survey Area Livestock Husbandry B - 57 S. Curran, K.Agr.Sc., K. Cowhig, B.Agr.Sc., J. O'Grady, B.Agr.Sc., M.Sc.. Sconomic Aspects of Pig Production B - 69 M. 0 Ruis, I.A. Animal Disease and Mortality B - 72 D.B.R. Poole, M.R.C.V.S. Farm Buildings B - 75 P.J. Tuite, B.Arch., MRIAI State Sbrestry in the Surrey Area B - 78 State forestry Division Department of Lands Fishery Resources in the Surrey Area B - 82 State fisheries Division Department of Lands SECTION C Economic Aspects of the Survey Area Part 1 - The Economic Backgound C - 1 E.A, Attwood, M.A. Part II - Economic Structure of the Farms C - 29 E.A. Attwood, M.A. Rosemary Fennell, M.A. Demographic and Sociological Aspects of the Survey Area C - 19 P. Commins, B.Comm., H.Dip.Sd.. Some Aspects of Trade in the Survey Area C - 108 D.V. Stevens, M.Sc., (VI) SECTION D Summary and Conclusions D - 1 Chairman of the working Party P. Ryan B.Agr.Sc.,M.S. Editor of the Report D. Murphy, M.Sc.,Ph.D. SECTION A PHYSICAL RESOURCES OF THE SURVEY AREA these factors, to compile the necessaiy factual information on which to base decisions, and to formulate remedial measures. Where such factual data were inadequate or non-existent it was necessary to carry out the surveys necessary to provide these basic facts. With these points in mind a number of research investigations have been in hand in the course of the survey. These research projects were aimed at getting the answers to local problems in their local environment, by testing on the spot the significance of research findings obtained elsewhere. During the survey the need for further research, mostly of a long term nature, into certain aspects was brought to light. While this resource survey was designed to find the answers to some of the problems confronting development in West Cork the significance of the survey extends far beyond the limits of that area. Findings accruing from such an intense, complete and coordinated scientific investigation as this promise to have far reaching and effective application to extensive areas of this country still below their potential development. The problem of the small farm is still one of the most vital to be tackled in national development. Pull and rightful acknowledgement is due to all at both a local and State level who gave their help so willingly to the Working Party and most of all to the local farmers for their very necessary and unstinted cooperation.

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