The cost of getting a fallen animal collected from a farm can vary by as much as 100%, according to an Agriland survey of price quotations from fallen animal collection companies across the country.
The figures show there can be as much as €25 in the difference in price for the collection of a dead cow or calf, while there can be a €20 difference in the cost of collecting a dead sheep.
Cattle
The cost of collecting dead cattle varies depending on the age, with most knackeries having six age brackets.
Both Beechfield Products Animal Collection Service in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, Leonard Mullins Animal Collection Service in Tervoe, Co. Limerick and John Styles Animal Collection Service, Portlaoise, Co. Laois combined the first two age brackets having a collection price of €25 for calves up to six months of age.
Price in euro, cost of delivering animal to knackery yard in brackets.
Leonard Mullin’s Animal Collection Service operates on a collection basis only.
Sean Phelan’s Animal Collection Service in Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny had the largest variations in their collection fee, with it rising to €50 in some cases.
Other companies, such as John Greene’s Animal Collection Service in Ahascragh, Co. Galway, charge a collection fee of €15 across all categories.
Sheep
The cost of the collection of dead sheep varied between €30 and €50, with Larry Earle’s Animal Collection Service in Camolin, Co. Wexford being the dearest at €50, while the other animal collection service companies charged €30.
Midland Animal Collection Service in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon in general, do not collect fallen sheep, with most farmers deciding to deliver the animal to the yard themselves.
Price in euro, cost of delivering animal to knackery yard in brackets.
Newborn lambs are generally delivered to the knackery yard by the farmer, with the cost of disposal varying between €1 and €5.
Under the Department of Agriculture’s Fallen Animal Scheme (TSE Subsidy) the collection of dead cattle over 48 months of age was subsidised, with the farmers’ contribution capped at €55.
Cattle under 48 months are not included in the subsidy scheme, and their collection and rendering is seen as a commercial service, according to the Department.