IFA wants to free up quota transfer

THE IFA is actively pursuing a new mechanism to free up quota transfer, said the association's general secretary, Michael Berkery, at last Friday's Agricultural Science Association conference in Kilkenny.

It is part of an IFA strategy to achieve the national average industrial wage or better for dairy farmers.

"Dairying is a full-time occupation and, to attract skilled people, must have an earning capacity of at least €30,000 a year. To achieve this will require a herd size of 90 cows efficiently managed with tight cost control", said Mr Berkery.