Glenamaddy-based Galway county councillor Peter Keaveney has organised a beef information evening in Glenamaddy Community Centre on Friday, February 15th at 8 pm.
Cllr. Keaveney said he has called the meeting in order to help break the uncertainty negativity currently surrounding the beef sector.
“Presently, there is a significant lack of confidence in the beef sector, with many farmers questioning their future in suckler cows.
The suckler cow has been a major contributor to the backbone of the rural economy in Ireland for many years, particularly in the west. However, the coming months could define the future of not only the suckler cow, but the entire beef industry,” Cllr. Keaveney said earlier this week.
Cllr. Keaveney is himself a suckler farmer and says he understands the struggles and frustration faced by farmers with high production costs.
As a result, he made the decision to organise this information evening for all farmers in the Galway, Mayo and Roscommon regions. The aim of the evening is to help inform the local farmer on what the industry is facing and attempt to look into the future where the beef industry is heading.
Cllr. Keaveney explained: “I wanted to organise an event that will bring the beef farmer up to date with what our industry is facing, inform farmers on where our main markets are, the possible effects Brexit may have on us here in the west of Ireland, what the reform of the new CAP may look like, and finally the alternatives to the suckler cow, with a focus on contract rearing and calf to beef”.
Some of the most knowledgeable specialists in the industry are set to appear at the meeting, including: Darren Carty, livestock specialist with the Irish Farmers Journal, CAP and Brexit correspondent Phelim O’Neill from the Irish Farmers Journal, and Teagasc adviser Gabriel Trayers.
The event will take place in Glenamaddy Community Centre on Friday, 15th February at 8 pm sharp. There will be refreshments served on the night.
