Cattle farmers are up in arms over the capping of cow numbers in the new suckler scheme.Farmers risk being penalised if they increase their suckler cow numbers over the course of the five-year contract under the proposal.
Cattle farmers are up in arms over the capping of cow numbers in the new suckler scheme.
Farmers risk being penalised if they increase their suckler cow numbers over the course of the five-year contract under the proposal.
The Department of Agriculture defended the threatened freeze on suckler cow numbers.
At Tuesday’s town hall meeting, it said the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme was an environmental programme aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and that capping suckler cow numbers would help in meeting the country’s climate change targets.
The IFA has called on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to clarify his position.
The mood of many suckler farmers will be worsened as the full extent of direct payment cuts emerges.
Exclusive Irish Farmers Journal analysis shows that a 40ha farmer with entitlements currently worth €473/ha (including greening), will see their payment cut by at least €6,580 in 2026, a 35% cut.
A worst-case scenario would see their payment cut by €8,440 (-45%).
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