Bullish Teagasc Outlook Cautiously Welcomed
IRELAND – Positive Teagasc projections for the livestock sector have been met with a cautionary response from the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA).Speaking after the outlook conference in Dublin on Tuesday, ICSA President Gabriel Gilmartin said the outlook, while good news, may be underestimating the fodder crisis.
He warned of particular challenges that could be felt in suckler beef, stating that being forced to reduce stock numbers earlier this year will decrease future output.
Commenting on the long term effects of last winter’s forage shortage, Mr Gilmartin said: “While Teagasc are forecasting that lower input costs next year will drive an increase in gross margins across all systems.
"I am concerned that the impact of the fodder crisis will continue to unfold in 2014 and that the problems will be particularly acute on the low-margin enterprises such as suckling.”
TheCattleSite News Desk