Prepare to cut back your herd: ICSA

THERE is no point in keeping cattle for current beef prices, said Malcolm Thompson, president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association at ICSA's AGM last week.

He said ICSA will urge farmers to cut production by at least 10%, either through planting the worst 10% of the farm or by cutting back on stock numbers, becoming less intensive and joining REPS, unless 2005 brings a substantial and sustained price rise.

Most farmers are tending to adopt a wait-and-see approach.