‘Half of county’s cattle to lose out under deal’

A LEADING Kerry farmer has claimed that half of all cattle produced in the county will lose out under decoupling.

John O’Leary, who farms 70 acres at Ballyhar, seven miles from Killarney, and another 130 rented acres, said this loss, together with the projected losses in the dairy sector, could rob Kerry farming of up to €24 million annually.

“The problem for Kerry farmers arises due to the pattern of farming where traditionally, calves and weanlings were produced and sold on to farmers for finishing in the eastern part of the country.