Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While the Department's communication indicates the star rating of the animals, it does not state whether they are eligible under the scheme. Many farmers, particularly those with large herds, are having difficulty in identifying the category into which their herd falls. The Department has all of the relevant information and only needs to communicate it to farmers.

While the beef data genomics scheme has worked well for some farmers, others are experiencing difficulties with it. We have an opportunity to do more with it. The former suckler cow scheme is often discussed. Would it be possible to improve the BDGP to deliver more value for farmers, for example, by paying them for better husbandry to ensure calves are reared better, rather than focusing solely on breeding? Farmers buying weanlings at marts in my part of the country tell me that they are not as good as they were five, six, seven or ten years ago. The beef data genomics scheme is supposed to be producing better calves, yet many of the farmers at marts state that is not the case. Animal husbandry and the way calves are being reared and weaned are among the reasons for this.

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