Farmers on alert over cattle raids

FARMERS have lost some of their best stock after cattle rustling incidents in Kerry and west Limerick.

The livestock chairman of the IFA in Kerry, John Stack, warned farmers and rural dwellers to be extra vigilant after a series of incidents in recent weeks.

Gardaí are investigating the livestock thefts.

In the latest episode, eight in-calf cows nearing full term were taken from a farm near Kilmoyley in the dead of night over a week ago.

Mr Stack said the cows stolen were the best in the herd and, he believes, were carefully selected.

Other thefts had occurred from farms near Glin on the Limerick-Kerry border and Adare.

Dairy cows would be easier to lure into a trailer than beef cattle, Mr Stack said.

It was also a factor that dairy cows now were “finer” and there was a higher mortality rate, and therefore turnover, than among beef cattle.

Mr Stack suspects the stolen animals are being given the passports of dead cows and are being “stolen to order”.

“The big question remains, who are the cows being given to?” Mr Stack asked. Prices have never been as low and to have cows stolen is a terrible blow, he added.

The IFA county committee chairman urged rural dwellers to be more vigilant, noting transporters and other equipment were needed to move mature cattle.

Farmers, should secure their gates properly and remain watchful until the suspected gangs were apprehended, Mr Stack added.