Only one in four cattle are securing a quality assurance bonus (QA), according to analysis by the ICSA.
This is despite the fact that 87pc of beef farmers are signed up to the scheme.
Bulls are not eligible for a QA bonus
“Farmers are being sold a pup in terms of reward,” said ICSA beef chairman Edmond Phelan. “Apart from the fact that three quarters of cattle are not getting the 12c bonus, many cattle are being severely discounted with dual pricing where the base price is not paid.”
Bulls and cows are not eligible for a QA bonus. Up to 33pc of heifers and steers fall outside the required grade and fat score, while another 240,000 are over 30 months at slaughter. A limited number also fail on the movement and residency requirements.
The ICSA estimate that a maximum of 400,000 cattle out of a total kill of 1,490,982 in 2013 qualified for the QA bonus.
(Source – Irish Independent – Darragh Mc Cullough – 24/06/2014)
ICSA’s Edmond Phelan