DEAR SIR:

I am a part-time farmer and like many other part-time farmers, I joined the BDGP in May 2015. My eligible quota is 17 suckler cows and the rules of the programme are that I must have, by 2018, three four- to five-star cows and by 2020, nine four- to five-star cows.

Because of the herd setup, ie closed herd breeding, my own replacements with Charolais stock bulls for over 30 years, the cows and heifers in the herd were exclusively one- and two-star animals. The majority still produce a good steer at 18 months, anything from 450kg to 480kg. Cows are culled at 10 years and usually weigh well and command a good price at sale. My approach to suckling is to minimise costs and avoid overstocking. Cows usually calve from mid-March onwards. My land is heavy and I like to let the cattle out from late March. Therefore, cows and calves are let out shortly after calving.

After completing the compulsory BDGP training course, I decided to purchase a five-star replacement bull with a view to improving the genetic rating of my herd from within and, in May 2016, I bought an Angus bull at the Kilmallock sale. The bull I purchased was both five-star in terminal and replacement indices at the time of purchase and cost €3,300. This was the most expensive bull I have ever purchased. Bear in mind the net value of the BDGP to me is about €1,200 over five years.

I am extremely disappointed with subsequent reports on the bull. Each successive report shows a downward slide in his ratings and, in particular, his replacement valuations. I was given the impression at the compulsory training course for the BDGP that the level of decline in ratings, if it were to happen, would be minimal. When I purchased the bull, his replacement index across all breeds was €124. His current replacement index is €79. This at most will produce a three-star calf from any of my current cows due to calve this year.

It is very unlikely that I will meet the criteria of the programme by 2018 and, surely, there should be some form of allowance given to farmers who buy bulls and cows based on their ratings where these ratings subsequently decline.

I contacted ICBF but I didn’t receive a satisfactory answer. Basically, the woman indicated that the ratings of the bull may increase as more data on him becomes available. When pressed, she also admitted that his value may even decline further.

Either way, I don’t have a whole lot of time as the deadline is 31 October 2018. I will also be hit financially when I sell yearlings in autumn 2018 as Charolais steers always trump Angus steers in the sales ring.

I am sure some of your readers have encountered similar situations.