Suckler scheme: a step in the right direction

GETTING a bigger and better weanling from a smaller and more feed efficient cow, seems to be the long-term strategy behind the latest suckler cow initiative announced in last week’s Budget ‘19.

Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, said that the objective was to get the most economically efficient beef herd based on a smaller more fertile cow with good milk and a low carbon footprint.

He outlined that the €40 per weanling payment would apply to 500,000 weanlings nationally giving a total spend of €20m on the scheme in 2019 – it is planned to have it up and running by early Summer.

Galway IFA Livestock Chairman, Michael Flynn, told the Farming Tribune that while the nuts and bolts of the new scheme had yet to emerge, the new payment was still very welcome for the suckler sector.

“Our aim was, and still is, is the securing of a payment rate of €200 per cow, a figure we estimate that would help to give this sector a solid financial footing.

“But at least what emerged in the Budget is a start – a step in the right direction – for the suckler sector that has been under serious pressure over recent years,” said Michael Flynn.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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