Vol. 530 No. 5
22 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the action being taken by his Department to encourage and promote the finishing of cattle at younger ages in line with market demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3877/01]
In view of recent developments at EU level, it is likely that in future there will be greater commercial demand for cattle slaughtered below 30 months. While the finishing of cattle is primarily a matter for the industry itself, my Department has asked Teagasc to prepare guidelines for farmers on the feeding and management strategies needed to facilitate the finishing of cattle before they reach 30 months of age. I understand that Teagasc has now circulated a briefing document to its livestock advisers around the country. Teagasc has also prepared leaflets for farmers on this issue and will hold a series of public demonstrations in the near future on appropriate feeding and breeding practices for cattle from the suckler cow herd.
While it is the case that steers from the suckler herd will have the greatest difficulty in reaching the finishing stage by 30 months of age, Teagasc research shows that it is quite possible. Producers who wish to finish these cattle early will have to pay greater attention to good husbandry practices generally, including animal health, good performance at grass, silage quality and the feeding of concentrates where good quality silage is not available.
