The west of Ireland suckler herd is the foundation stone of our beef industry. However, even with efficeny gains, farmers on marginal lands are struggling to attain viable incomes.
There is no doubt that improving efficiency inside the farm gate will improve returns, irrespective of enterprise. We have seen the gains in efficiency and also higher returns from an increase in beef market prices eroded by rising input costs. Suckler farmers not only in the west, but farming on marginal lands throughout the country, know only too well the impact that rising costs have on their bottom line.
Suckler farmers on marginal and fragmented lands in particular are especially at risk when weather is not on their side. They are not only hit with increased production costs but their main revenue stream of selling weanlings is also hit with reduced output. The impact was clear to be seen in 2013 – suckler to weanling participants in the Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER Farm programme in the western half of the country saw their gross margin reduce by more than 50%.
The suckler cow is the foundation stone of the Irish beef industry, yet she is very vulnerable. Efficiency inside the farm gate is crucial. There are also challenges ahead in terms of breeding policy. However, we also have to face up to the reality that suckler farmers, at current prices, are not attaining a viable income. Suckler farmers in the past were able to weather the storm with direct supports compensating for market returns, in many cases failing to cover costs. In the last five years, in the region of €150 to €200 support per cow has been removed in the form of cuts to the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, ending of REPS and cuts to DAS. The cuts will increase this year when farmers are hit by cuts to their Single Farm Payment. There is little point in moving in five years’ time to introduce support when numbers have fallen – the Government must be aware of the challenges of farmers on marginal lands and put in the necessary supports to protect our suckler herd.
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Title: Sucklers: Efficiency can only go so far
The west of Ireland suckler herd is the foundation stone of our beef industry. However, even with efficeny gains, farmers on marginal lands are struggling to attain viable incomes.
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There is no doubt that improving efficiency inside the farm gate will improve returns, irrespective of enterprise. We have seen the gains in efficiency and also higher returns from an increase in beef market prices eroded by rising input costs. Suckler farmers not only in the west, but farming on marginal lands throughout the country, know only too well the impact that rising costs have on their bottom line.
Suckler farmers on marginal and fragmented lands in particular are especially at risk when weather is not on their side. They are not only hit with increased production costs but their main revenue stream of selling weanlings is also hit with reduced output. The impact was clear to be seen in 2013 – suckler to weanling participants in the Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER Farm programme in the western half of the country saw their gross margin reduce by more than 50%.
The suckler cow is the foundation stone of the Irish beef industry, yet she is very vulnerable. Efficiency inside the farm gate is crucial. There are also challenges ahead in terms of breeding policy. However, we also have to face up to the reality that suckler farmers, at current prices, are not attaining a viable income. Suckler farmers in the past were able to weather the storm with direct supports compensating for market returns, in many cases failing to cover costs. In the last five years, in the region of €150 to €200 support per cow has been removed in the form of cuts to the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, ending of REPS and cuts to DAS. The cuts will increase this year when farmers are hit by cuts to their Single Farm Payment. There is little point in moving in five years’ time to introduce support when numbers have fallen – the Government must be aware of the challenges of farmers on marginal lands and put in the necessary supports to protect our suckler herd.
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