Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for missing some of the presentation. I acknowledge Teagasc's great role in trying to ensure there is profitability in beef farming. I have questions on two issues. The industry has seen major movements regarding suckler cows and trends of moving away from suckler cows. In my part of the country, as has been mentioned by other members, the phenomenon of contract rearing of dairy calves for dairy herds has become the more profitable option within the beef industry. Farmers are probably getting paid every month, they are getting a set amount and there is no issue with the marts or the factories. It is becoming a pathway that many people, particularly young farmers, are considering. They are not seeking to go into dairy but they might see an opportunity in going onto the platform of contract rearing. Where does Dr. O'Mara see that in the future of agriculture and the beef industry? Does he think there will be greater movement towards that? On issues regarding bed and breakfast arrangements and the legislation, do we need to examine that and streamlining it to make it easier?

I also have a question about the ability of farming groups to work together as an entity, for example, as producer groups, to get a better price on the factory floor. Has there been much activity in that regard? What role does Teagasc have in promoting and activating the producer group model so there is a conglomeration of multiple farmers working together to get a better floor price and having a power hand when dealing with the entities involved? Where does Teagasc see that in the future in terms of getting a better price for one's product?

They are two key issues. In the industry at present one is seeing large numbers of suckler cows moving off farms and there is a knock-on effect of not having the weanlings. Does Dr. O'Mara have a fear, and I put this question to representatives of the meat industry and they fluffed the answer, that a decade hence the meat industry might be made up of Friesian cull cows and Angus bulls and heifers? Would he have a fear for the industry into the future if that were to be the marketability element of the industry? Where does he see the industry on that type of footing?