Suckler cow exodus now on the cards

BY FRANCIS FARRAGHER

ONE of the most brutal 12 month periods in Irish farming could prompt an exodus of people from suckler cow and ewe enterprises, farm leaders have warned this week.

Over recent weeks there has been a marked increase in the numbers of cows and calves being presented at marts for sale as many farmers cut down on numbers as they anticipate another tough winter fodder season ahead.

Co. Galway IFA Chairman, Michael Flynn, said that over recent weeks he had spoken to many farmers seriously considering their position as regards ‘continuing on’ in suckler and sheep farming.

“These farmers have taken an awful battering on a lot of different fronts over the past year. The shocking weather is the core problem but now farmers are also in serious financial bother as well – morale is very low with most farmers,” said Michael Flynn.

He said that he was taken aback at the number of farmers across the county who were thinking of ‘getting out’ of the more demanding feed enterprises such as suckler cows and ewes.

“A suckler cow really takes a lot of maintenance during the course of the year. They are high maintenance and high cost while this year the mortality rate also has been very high.

“Overall this a very worrying trend. The whole foundation of our cattle and sheep industry is based on the suckler cow and the ewe – if we suffer major reductions in these areas, it will have major implications for Irish farming for years to come,” said Michael Flynn.

He said that a relative improvement in weather conditions over recent weeks, thousands of tonnes of hay were still being imported mainly from Holland and France. Some farmers still had cattle housed as the first week of June approached, he said.

Gus Egan, Manager of Loughrea Mart, said that there had been a notable trend over the past month or so of farmers selling off suckler cows with calves at foot.

“Even now in early Summer, farmers are looking ahead and worrying about where their fodder supplies will come from for next Winter.

“Many farmers are still grazing fields that they should have preserved for silage and there is absolutely nothing left over from last year.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune