Beef farmers get €31m payout

Payments worth some €31 million are now being made to beef farmers under the 2003 national envelope, agriculture minister Joe Walsh said yesterday.

These payments are targeted towards beef farmers in respect of heifers forming part of the 2003 suckler cow premium application.

The payments are also targeted towards farmers who had beef heifers that remained dry in the 2003 calendar year. They also include a top-up in respect of heifers eligible for slaughter premium.