Not everybody will benefit of course. The larger commercial producers of beef will suffer some setbacks. There is no doubt the numbers of cattle and sheep will fall. However, the analysis and research undertaken by Teagasc has demonstrated that the great majority of farmers will benefit from full decoupling of farm production from direct payments. It is likely that aggregate income will increase by 10% before 2012. The alternative option of partial decoupling that many commercial producers and processors wanted would only provide for a 4% increase in income. A no change approach was unrealistic as an option because it would see farm incomes fall by 9% in the long run.