Survey Shows More Progressive Beef Farmers Plan to Maintain or Increase Stock Numbers

24 September, 2003

The more progressive and commercial beef farmers intend to maintain or increase stock numbers following the implementation of the EU beef policy, according to a Teagasc survey.

The survey of beef monitor farms, which are used by Teagasc to assess performance at farm level and promote the adoption of new technology, show that 92% intend to maintain or increase stock numbers following the implementation of the new policy in January 2005. Just 8% intend to reduce their number of stock.

Aidan Murray, Teagasc beef specialist, who co-ordinated the survey, stressed that the results should not be interpreted as representing the attitudes of all beef farmers. However, they do reflect the attitude at present of a sample of the more progressive and commercial sector in beef farming.

One-third of the farmers surveyed said they intend to increase stock numbers while 60% said they would maintain their existing stock numbers. A majority also feel they will need to improve the quality of stock and finish beef animals at a younger age.

The farmers in the sample are predominantly involved in suckler beef production. Two-thirds are aged between 35 and 55. While 70% of the households have an off-farm income source, farming is the major source of income.

The new policy will involve a single payment per farm from 2005, based on entitlements established in the period 2000 – 2002. There will be provision to purchase, sell or lease single payment entitlements. Ten per cent of those surveyed said they intend to increase the scale of their business through purchase or lease of entitlements. The remainder intend to farm with the entitlements they are allocated in January 2005.

Aidan Murray said the results of the survey must be viewed against the background of incomplete information available to farmers on the implementation and implications of the new policy.

"However, it does indicate that the more progressive beef farmers, at this early stage, see the new policy as providing opportunities to increase income and to get rewarded for quality production geared to the market place", he said