Commenting on the Kepak/Glanbia initiative on dairy beef production announced today, the Chairperson of ICMSA’s Livestock Committee welcomed the initiative and said that it was a positive step that recognised the value of dairy beef production. Des Morrison said that ICMSA wished the initiative well and noted that farmers will judge it on the level of profitability that will be returned from the marketplace. “Whether it’s a success or not will be determined by the returns to the farmers – it’s that simple”, he said.
Mr. Morrison said, that there have been far too many negative comments regarding dairy beef production this Spring by people pursuing their own agenda and it was important that positive steps were taken to add value to the dairy offspring destined for beef production. He described these animals as a valuable resource for the Irish economy and he said it was essential that all links in the supply chain – from the calf producer to the finisher – get the kind of fair return that clearly has not happened this year in relation to calf prices. This was a voluntary option that had the possibility of adding a premium to the price received by farmers and was to be welcomed on that basis, he concluded.
Ends 3 April 2019
Des Morrison, 086-2263331
Chairperson, ICMSA Livestock Committee
Or
Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758
ICMSA Press Office
