WHEN QUOTAS WENT, OFFICIAL IRELAND TOOK THE ATTITUDE THAT ALL FARMERS SHOULD BE MILKING COWS

extensive grazing system with low stocking rates could be doing more harm to the environment than a system where the stocking rate is far higher?

It really annoys me that the suckler cow is taking all the hit for the environment, the sense being that, if we get rid of her, we will be grand.

What does the science really say?

There used to be a saying a couple of generations ago that the Australian economy was riding on the sheep’s back, I would argue that the suckler cow currently does a similar job in rural Ireland.

Rural tourism is very dependent on the quality of the natural environment, with images of a clean and green environment being widely used in promotional materials.

The same kind of image is used to sell Irish beef. Indeed, I recently heard an industry representative say they would not be able to market Irish beef without this image.

And there are other contradictions – for example, the industry constantly tells us that they want a lighter carcase. But this is not being incentivised.

The introduction of the QPS in 2010 brought a financial recognition to the better shaped animals from the suckler herd. This was to be price neutral.

There are now calls to have the grid dismantled and/or for the base price to be set on a lower grade. But, the grid is based on science and that would now tell us that the price differential between grades should actually be widened.

A few weeks ago, I was at an IFA meeting in Portlaoise. It was unlike a meeting that I have ever attended. I have never seen the mood and confidence as low.

Nobody was ranting and raving. People spoke from the heart and you’d know they were really hurting. These were seri- ous beef farmers who I would consider role models in the industry.

I feel sad that Ireland seems to be prepared to throw away an industry, an asset of one million suckler cows, that took generations to build up.

Nobody in authority or anyone that benefits from the Irish suckler herd seems to want to take a stand on it.

The suckler cow will not disappear overnight but, as suckler farmers die out, the next generation is not going to keep them.

In terms of addressing carbon footprint, surely the only hope of progress is for individuals to take responsibility for controlling their own.

We are taking steps to address our carbon footprint; we joined GLAS and are in the process of planting 10ac of native woodland. In conjunction with Alltech, we have done a scientific calculation of our carbon emissions and are taking on board their advice about ways to reduce our footprint.

We believe it is the right and responsible thing to do.

This should add to the price of what we are selling if the consumer is genuinely interested and places a value on it.

We hope that they will. But we’re not holding our breath.