Ken Grant Beef finisher, Tipperary

“I’m a beef finisher from Tipperary, and all of the cattle I acquire are suckler-bred. I don’t agree with the new Food Vision beef report as it appears to favour the dairy herd expansion at the expense of suckler farmers’ consideration.

“Analysing the key areas of the report, it seems that they’re trying to eliminate our suckler herd using a small incentive. I believe that a decrease in the suckler herd will have an adverse effect on both the suckler farmer and beef finishers like myself who are attempting to purchase high-quality cattle.

“It’s already evident that the quality of cattle is declining with the reduction of the good-quality continental cattle in marts throughout the country.”

John Clancy Suckler farmer, Meath

“I wouldn’t be interested in this new scheme as I’m trying to build up my business not bring it down. I don’t agree with the new Food Vision beef report as it’s not the suckler farmer causing the problems.

“Can we really blame the suckler farmer with the 10 or 15 cows for Ireland’s carbon footprint when the dairy farmer is milking 500 cows? Even a part-time suckler farmer here in Meath would have half the carbon footprint in comparison to surrounding dairy farmers.”

Tommy Holmes Store to finisher, Mayo

Tommy Holmes. \ Michael McLaughlin

“I don’t agree with the reduction of the suckler herd as a beef finisher is going to end up not being able to source out the beef cattle we want for finishing.

“In the last two years, I’ve noticed a sufficient decline in the quality of beef cattle and the number of suckler cows in the mart.

“Every week, I send cattle to the factory and the kill-outs for high-quality continental suckler breeds are incomparable to dairy breeds. If the Government continues to reduce the suckler herd, ultimately it will lead to a shortage of high-quality beef.”

Willie Treacy Suckler farmer, Louth

Willie Treacy on his beef farm at Hackballscross, Dundalk, Co Louth.

“I have a spring and autumn herd and I’ll be considering reducing my overall herd size by 30%. The margins have gone so tight that I am considering buying in stock instead to ultimately lower the stocking rate on the farm. However, a number of questions are still to be answered in relation to the proposed Food Vision report.

“Will it be tax-free for farmers and is there anything to say that a dairy farmer can use the remaining land?

“I can see why they’re targeting the suckler herd as it can be inefficient, however, geographically you can’t compare suckler farms in the likes of Louth or Meath and compare it to land in the west of Ireland.

“Personally, I think small or part-time suckler farmers in the west of Ireland or farmers on poor land should be exempt from the Food Vision report.”