Reacting to the new TB compensation arrangements for dairy farmers, McCormack, deputy president of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), said the improvements to the TB income supplement scheme need to be introduced immediately, as "any delay means that farmers will continue to lose heavily in terms of income and the additional costs associated with a TB restriction".
McCormack said the ICMSA "has noted and supports the improvements to the income supplement scheme", but added that farmers “cannot be expected to wait an extended period of time before the new compensation scheme is implemented”.
The improvement entails a 120% increase in the amount of compensation a dairy farmer receives per cow per month if the herd is restricted due to TB. Formerly, the income support payment for dairy cows was €25.39/cow/month, but it now stands at €55/cow/month.
Hardship grant
Dairy farmers have also won out in another TB compensation scheme – the hardship grant. Dairy farmers were previously not eligible for this grant, which is designed to alleviate the costs of owners whose holdings are restricted on foot of a herd retest. Dairy farmers are now eligible at a rate of €25/animal up to €250/month.
However, McCormack added that farmers should be eligible for this scheme all year around, and not just during the period of 1 November to 30 April as is currently the case.
ICSA
Meanwhile, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) TB committee chairman John Barron has welcomed news that the maximum valuation for a pedigree bull under the TB market valuation scheme has been increased from €3,500 to €5,000 following ICSA lobbying on the issue.
“The ICSA argued that the previous maximum of €3,500 did not reflect the reality in the marketplace for suckler farmers, in particular, who wish to run the best possible bull with the most desirable genetics with their herd,” Barron said.
“It is commonplace, albeit still a minority, for suckler farmers to pay €4,000 to €5,000 for a high-calibre bull. This is particularly important in the suckler sector where AI use is limited by a variety of factors, such as difficulties with heat detection, herds grazing away from the farmyard on different parcels and also the prevalence of part-time farming due to income issues,” Barron added.
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TB in deer threatening farmers’ livelihoods, says Wicklow IFA
Reacting to the new TB compensation arrangements for dairy farmers, McCormack, deputy president of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), said the improvements to the TB income supplement scheme need to be introduced immediately, as "any delay means that farmers will continue to lose heavily in terms of income and the additional costs associated with a TB restriction".
McCormack said the ICMSA "has noted and supports the improvements to the income supplement scheme", but added that farmers “cannot be expected to wait an extended period of time before the new compensation scheme is implemented”.
The improvement entails a 120% increase in the amount of compensation a dairy farmer receives per cow per month if the herd is restricted due to TB. Formerly, the income support payment for dairy cows was €25.39/cow/month, but it now stands at €55/cow/month.
Hardship grant
Dairy farmers have also won out in another TB compensation scheme – the hardship grant. Dairy farmers were previously not eligible for this grant, which is designed to alleviate the costs of owners whose holdings are restricted on foot of a herd retest. Dairy farmers are now eligible at a rate of €25/animal up to €250/month.
However, McCormack added that farmers should be eligible for this scheme all year around, and not just during the period of 1 November to 30 April as is currently the case.
ICSA
Meanwhile, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) TB committee chairman John Barron has welcomed news that the maximum valuation for a pedigree bull under the TB market valuation scheme has been increased from €3,500 to €5,000 following ICSA lobbying on the issue.
“The ICSA argued that the previous maximum of €3,500 did not reflect the reality in the marketplace for suckler farmers, in particular, who wish to run the best possible bull with the most desirable genetics with their herd,” Barron said.
“It is commonplace, albeit still a minority, for suckler farmers to pay €4,000 to €5,000 for a high-calibre bull. This is particularly important in the suckler sector where AI use is limited by a variety of factors, such as difficulties with heat detection, herds grazing away from the farmyard on different parcels and also the prevalence of part-time farming due to income issues,” Barron added.
Read more
TB in deer threatening farmers’ livelihoods, says Wicklow IFA
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