Over 400 people attended Carrigallen mart in Leitrim on Tuesday night for the first of six Irish Farmers Journal/AXA insurance spring health management mart meetings. On the evening, the Irish Farmers Journal also took the opportunity to get farmers’ reactions to the new €40/head BEEP scheme that is now open for applications.

Basil Bothwell

Killeshandra, Co Cavan

I will be participating in it. I would weigh cattle quite a bit and I would certainly see the benefits of it. In terms of the €40, it’s probably not enough money but at least it’s something. If you have 30 cows its €1,200 and that’s definitely better than nothing. Weighing cows and calves is a bit of trouble, but it is manageable and I think it would be beneficial to farmers. They can see which cow is doing the business.

We have all seen it – a fantastic looking cow out the field but she has the worst calf. Farmers will be able to see which cow is milking and putting the weight into the calf rather than putting it up on her back.

Paddy O’Rourke

Carrigallen, Co Leitrim

Of course any money that comes in the farmer’s door is welcome. We won’t have sucklers in Leitrim unless there is intervention. But in reality, the hoops you have to jump through to collect this €40/head is a bit too much for the small reward that is in it. For many part-time farmers who can’t make a living from their farm alone, they already have minimal time to do their farming activities and this is another burden on them.

Unfortunately, it’s not enough for people to stick at it.

Wilson Kells

Arva, Co Cavan

I will be signing up for it because I may as well get the money, but at the same time I think it’s a scheme that will need more work. It is a very small payment for starters.

I would weigh stock on a regular basis and I have my own weighing scales so it suits me but I’m not sure how it’s going to work for those that have to go and get a scales. I would be a firm believer in weighing cattle because it gives me an idea of what way my cattle are going; what’s working on my farm and what isn’t. I’ve always found beef cows aren’t that hard weighed.