IFA concern over decline in suckler cows
Farmers listening to speakers at the Mayo IFA meeting in Balla Mart last Thursday. Pictures: Frank Dolan
The worrying reduction in suckler herds in Mayo and West was raised at a well-attended meeting at Balla Mart, organised by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).
The Mayo IFA executive along with the local branch in Balla hosted the Suckler Cow, Beef and Calf meeting in conjunction with Aurivo Co-Op Mart in Balla last Thursday evening.
The event focused on preparing the suckler calf for sale and looking at the future of the suckler cow along with the beef market outlook for this autumn.
Stephen Hannon Mart, Divisional Manager with Aurivo Co-op, gave an outline on what farmers and exporters are looking for when buying weanlings.
Adam Woods, of the , along with Declan Hanrahan, Chairman of IFA’s Livestock Committee, detailed the current market for beef and the supports for the suckler cow going forward.
TJ Duffy, Mayo IFA representative, delivered a presentation on how to prepare the suckler calf for sale in order to achieve the maximum price. He also advised farmers on good animal health practices for the cow and the calf.
Mayo IFA Chair John Lynskey told the that the fall-off in suckler numbers is concerning.
“The reduction in numbers of the suckler cow in the general area is a big problem. Nationally, there are 40,000 less this year and that’s on top of a 40,000 reduction last year. There are cases up the country where they did reduce because farmers might have switched to dairy, but here in the West, there is a general reduction."
Mr Lynskey said there a number of factors behind the reduction.
“You have the age profile of farmers, the income involved and these schemes that are being introduced are difficult enough for older farmers to manage,” he explained.
Mr Lynskey said the IFA was delighted with the attendance and the engagement on the evening.
“It was a really positive event with a lot of ground covered,” he remarked
