A Department of Agriculture grading trial of over 2,000 animals included a new formula that favours factories over farmers, the IFA has claimed.

The Department of Agriculture’s report on a year-long trial of new grading technology in Slaney Meats is due soon.

However, the IFA has condemned the unpublished trial, saying that it included a new carcase grading equation that would reduce conformation scores on cattle and “take money out of beef farmers’ pockets”.

While the mechanical grading machine trial was intended to test new lighting and camera equipment, the IFA said the Department did not clarify that a new formula would also be trialled.

IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said the IFA was told by the Department that the changes were made “because of the changing profile of the national herd”.

The output of the trial of the new equations will result in a significant reduction in the conformation scores of cattle slaughtered in Ireland, which will reduce the price paid to farmers

“It was never a requirement to change or interfere with the accredited equations which determine conformation and fat score,” Woods said.

“According to the information presented by the Department, the output of the trial of the new equations will result in a significant reduction in the conformation scores of cattle slaughtered in Ireland, which will reduce the price paid to farmers.”

Farmers were hoping that the new technology would lead to more accurate grading of their animals. However, the introduction of a new equation raises more questions than answers.

Farmer concerns

The IFA has written to the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to raise farmer concerns before the report is published or acted upon.

The Minister for Agriculture and Meat Industry Ireland did not respond to requests for comment.