The average suckler to beef farm made a net margin, per hectare, of €61 in 2012, down €8/ha on the previous year, according to the Teagasc profit monitor report.
The margin includes all costs of production, but excludes all premia such as Single Farm Payment (SFP), REPS, Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme (SWCS) etc, which amounts to €580/ha.
The top third of suckler to beef farms had a net margin of €357/ha, while the bottom third had a net margin of €290/ha, a difference of €647/ha between the two groups.
The impact of BTAP is clearly evident as 1,062 cattle farms completed a profit monitor for 2012, compared to 533 farms in 2011.
Average farm size for suckler to beef systems was 37ha stocked at 1.5LU/ha.
Variable costs were €794/ha with fixed costs of €528. Gross margin was €531/ha.
The average lowland sheep farm had a net margin of €21/ha, excluding all premia which is worth €450/ha.
The average farm carried 151 ewes at 7.7ewe/ha. Gross margin was €471/ha.
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – Kieran Mailey – 26/10/2013)