Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Mr. McCormack talked about the stocking rates and so on, is the ICMSA or Teagasc doing anything to see if it is workable? I always have a vision of a suckler herd where we should produce a cow that would rear two calves. One on its own is not able to do that. Is there any work being done by Teagasc and organisations such as the ICMSA that would help with the stocking rates, and all that involves, where a good quality dairy calf could be brought over? I know that there is the ordinary dairy beef side, which I understand. I would always take the view that it is tough going to make money out of one calf, one cow. I have talked to some people who have an interest in the likes of that idea. Is any research being done, or anything being done by Teagasc, to see how workable that is and if it would help both sectors? There is pressure that everybody needs to know will be coming on. I have seen full U-turns being done on such matters as exports out in Europe and there are many headwinds. Is there any sort of think tank, solution or work being done to promote certain things like that, which may help both sides?