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Producing high quality carcasses from grass-based suckler beef systems
Producing high quality carcasses from grass-based suckler beef systems

Suckler cow numbers in Ireland have almost trebled over the last twenty-five years reaching 1.18 million in 2008 or 52% of the total cow population (Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (DAFF), 2004 and 2008). Total cattle disposals in 2007 were 1.98 million of which, 1.77 million were slaughtered in Ireland and 0.21 million were exported live (Bord Bia, 2008). Thus, most cattle are slaughtered in Ireland with the number exported as live animals varying in recent years from a high of 0.40 million in 2000 to a low of 0.10 million in 2001. Total beef output was 578,000 tonne of carcass weight equivalent in 2007 of which, 85% was exported.

1 January 2009
Type
Report
SITUATION and OUTLOOK in AGRICULTURE 2008/09
SITUATION and OUTLOOK in AGRICULTURE 2008/09

The year 2008 was a difficult one for the farming community. Inclement weather severely affected grass production, silage making and cereal yields leading to increased costs and overall reductions in farm incomes. Dairy and cereal farmers saw product prices decline significantly from the high levels experienced in 2007. In the drystock sector, beef prices increased in 2008, whilst sheep prices remained static resulting in a further decline in ewe numbers. A sharp increase in farm input costs added to reduced profit margins in all sectors particularly for the intensive high input systems dairying, cereals, pigs and poultry producers. Despite the decline in profit margins farmers continued to invest at record levels in buildings and machinery to ensure compliance with good farming practice and environmental regulations. Farmers, farm planners and the agribusiness sector require accurate and up-to-date data on agricultural outputs, inputs and policy changes in planning their business. Income estimates for 2008 will provide a base for production intentions in the coming year. The results of a survey on farmer’s investment plans for 2009 will be presented. More importantly, the outlook for the dairy, beef, sheep, pigs and crops sectors in 2009 will be critical to making informed planning decisions for the short to medium term.

9 December 2008
Type
Report