A process of engagement has started between NI research and development body, AgriSearch and industry organisations, with a view to a significant increase in the levy collected from livestock farmers.

At present, dairy farmers pay a levy of 0.02p/l, with beef at 30p/head and sheep at 5p/head. Combined, the funding brought in £470,000 in 2024, of which £330,000 was from dairy farmers, £122,000 from beef and £18,000 from sheep producers. The money is used to help fund production-based research.

In his report within the 2024 accounts, the chair of AgriSearch, Professor Gerry Boyle pointed out that levy income has remained virtually static since 1997, other that a 10p increase in the beef levy, applied in 2015.

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As a result, representatives from AgriSearch maintain that the current funding model is unsustainable and to just keep up with inflation, all levies need to double as a minimum.

However, that would lead to an even greater disparity between income from dairy and other livestock farmers, so it is likely that AgriSearch will argue for an even greater increase in the money taken off beef and sheep at slaughter.

Speaking at an on-farm event last Thursday, John Morrow from AgriSearch said he was hoping that more levy funding would come through, ultimately to allow for the likes of a revamp of the GrassCheck programme. At present, the main graph showing weekly grass growth published by AgriSearch is based off plot data from CAFRE Greenmount and AFBI Hillsborough – both sites have been relatively dry this year and not in line with the excellent grass growing conditions seen in much of NI.

“There is a new grass check programme coming – we are hoping to change a few things,” said Morrow.