Agri merchants have attacked the Twenty20 Beef Club for forcing farmers to buy all inputs from Glanbia.

“It’s Glanbia trying to force farmers to buy its inputs without competition,” says Pat Murphy, chief executive of the Acorn group. “Farmers signing up will have to buy everything from Glanbia, including feed for all other livestock. This could have a knock-on effect on the viability of farmers.”

Glanbia is using the co-op’s dividend from the plc to support its business, he said.

“That’s farmers’ own money, it should be paid directly to them. The Glanbia Kepak scheme could also damage the suckler beef sector.”

Recently, Glanbia speakers were asked what guarantee they could give that their inputs would be competitive.

The reply was that Glanbia knew it would have to be competitive, or else farmers would leave the scheme.