Conferences Focus on Future for Beef Farming
15 October 2004
The impact of the radical changes in EU beef policy on farmers is top of the agenda at seven special regional beef meetings being run by Teagasc and Bord Bia between 26 October and 3 November.
The conferences are taking place at critical time in Irish beef farming, with the introduction of radical policy changes in January 2005. They will enable farmers to get the best Teagasc advice on maximising income from beef and will also feature expert information from Bord Bia and leading beef processors on market outlets and on short and medium-term prospects for Irish beef exports.
Announcing the special conferences, Bernard Smyth, Chief Drystock Adviser with Teagasc, said that beef farmers who apply the best production technology and deliver a product for the high-priced consumer markets can look forward to increased incomes after the implementation of the new EU policy.
“At present, only the top 10% of beef farmers are retaining all their premia, REPS and disadvantaged areas payments as profit. When premia payments are decoupled form production from next January, the challenge facing all committed beef producers is to make a real profit from the market place. An increase in beef prices and using the most efficient production methods will be pre-requisites in achieving this,” he said.
He said 50% of Irish beef exports are now going to the UK market with a further 30% going to continental EU markets.
“We must increase the proportion of beef being exported to the higher priced continental market if profitability at farm level is to improved. The views of Bord Bia and beef processors on how this can be achieved will be worth hearing,” he said
The conferences will also look at the important production challenges facing beef producers over the coming winter, with guidelines from Teagasc specialists on profitable feeding strategies.
The following is the full schedule of conferences. The starting time at all venues is 8pm, with the exception of Tullamore, which starts at 8.30pm.
- Tues 26 October, Court Hotel, Tullamore
- Wed 27 October, Riverside Hotel, Enniscorthy
- Wed 27 October, Teagasc Resource Centre, Athenry
- Thur 28 October, Anner Hotel, Thurles
- Mon 1 November, Ardboyne Hotel, Navan
- Tues 2 November, Hibernian Hotel, Mallow
- Wed 3 November, Holiday Inn, Letterkenny
