The Dealer had a few calls this week from a number of Charolais breeders wondering whether I know of any cheap farms coming up for sale.

At the Irish Charolais Cattle Society AGM last Sunday in Mullingar, a proposal was brought to the floor that the society move out of Farm Centre and purchase a farm to set up its own headquarters and progeny testing centre. The society is in a strong position with €1.7m on deposit and, at current land prices, could afford a substantial holding to relocate and progeny-test bulls. The Dealer wonders how much it will cost to progeny-test bulls, whether other breeds will be tested for comparison purposes and if the progeny testing results would be made public. The Dealer hears that the proposal was met with some shock and surprise on the floor with many questioning whether this was the best use of breeders’ money.