Beef project under threat
The future of the Teagasc BETTER Farm beef programme has been thrown into doubt due to uncertainty regarding funding for the initiative.
Reports within the sector suggest that securing budgets to keep the programme going is proving difficult.
The 15 farmers in the initiative are meeting with stakeholders in Tullamore today to clarify what will happen next.
However, a senior official with one of the beef processors involved in the initiative insisted that the programme would continue.
"With the Food Harvest 2020 targets being increased from 20pc to 40pc in output, this programme needs to be expanded, not shut down," said Dawn Meat's Paul Nolan.
"It's the only show in town for the suckler sector."
The programme goal is to boost profitability on beef farms by reducing production costs and increasing farm output through improved breeding and grassland management.
It's supported by the FBD Trust, the Agricultural Trust, Teagasc, Dawn Meats, AIBP and Kepak.
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