Good weaning standards must not be allowed to slide, says farm boss

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association has said that good weaning standards adopted under the now-defunct suckler welfare scheme must not be allowed to slide, despite the abolition of financial supports.

ICSA suckler committee chair Dermot Kelleher said: “It seems that a certain amount of farmers are abandoning the principles of good weaning practice recently. I have seen evidence of it at marts with calves making a lot of noise because they haven’t been properly weaned.... those calves that could be guaranteed to be weaned and on meal were worth an additional €100 to €150 in the sales ring.”

Mr Kelleher says farmers must recognise that proper weaning practice is beneficial for the calf, for themselves and everyone .

“The suckler industry has seen huge improvements as a result of the suckler welfare scheme, and despite its abolition last year I would call on all farmers to make sure they do not abandon the beneficial farm management principles behind that improvement.”