Skibbereen seminar for livestock farmers

IMPROVING profitability in the cattle and beef sector will be the central point up for discussion at an IFA-Cork Marts livestock seminar, which will be held in Skibbereen Mart on Monday, September 24th, starting at 8pm. 

The chairman of West Cork IFA, Corney Buckley, said that an excellent panel of speakers had been assembled to take farmers through all aspects of livestock production, covering breeding, genomics, animal health, managing feed supplies, as well as covering proposed changes to CAP and ANC. 

The IFA chairman said that following the difficult Spring, and drought this year, a lot of farmers have had to manage their feed supplies to ensure that they will have sufficient fodder to carry their stock through the coming winter and spring. 

Mr Buckley said that Angus Woods, the IFA National Livestock Chairman, will bring farmers through many of the major policy issues including CAP, ANC and the IFA €200 Suckler Cow Campaign. Joe Burke from Bord Bia, with the help of a live demonstration of cattle in the ring, will discuss improving profitability by producing the right animal for the beef markets. 

Sean Coughlan, ICBF chief executive, will speak on the merits of the data being collected through the BDGP programme, and how farmers need to use this information to their advantage. Finally, Karen Dukelow, Teagasc beef specialist, will talk on how best to deal with the fodder deficit that is out there on many farms at the moment, and what action needs to be taken now by farmers before the winter arrives. 

In conclusion, Mr Buckley encouraged all livestock farmers to come along to this meeting, as they will gather a lot of information on important issues from the discussions.  He also said that local co-ops, merchants, and financial institutions have been invited to come along and have a stand to talk to farmers before or after the meeting.