Written answers

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Beef Industry Issues

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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920. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that in a week there were no buyers in the marts for Holstein-Jersey crosses calves, farmers have paid up to €10 per head for buyers to take the calves from them. [14134/14]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware questions of price are matters to be determined between the purchasers and the sellers of cattle and it is neither appropriate nor possible for me to intervene directly on these issues. I am aware of the issue raised by the Deputy but I also note that there are relatively few of these calves in the country, as cross-breeding is relatively limited and operated in approximately only 5% of dairy herds. With at least 50% of the progeny being female, this leaves a limited number of male progeny to be sold at marts.

I am aware that the issue of cross-breeding in dairy herds has been growing in popularity and is proven to provide cows with high economic value. The downside of this is that the male calves have a low market value due to their unsuitability for beef production. I am hopeful that ongoing efforts by the likes of the ICBF to develop a viable sexed semen sector in the country will help to avoid this issue in the near future.

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