Dairy
At this time of the year, with breeding closing in, there has to be a sustainable plan for your dairy-beef non-replacement calves.
Beef
Meat processors represented by MII will begin rolling out digital cameras and LED lighting for carcass grading machines from next week.
The trials of a new cattle grading system in a number of Irish beef processing facilities have demonstrated increased rates of accuracy.
AgriLand understands that there is an agreement arising from the beef talks to set up an appeals system for manual grading of carcasses.
It has been pointed out that the figures on the accuracy of beef grading machines stood at 94.8% for fat cover in 2018.
"Long-outstanding issues" on mechanical grading and trimming were discussed in meetings between the Department of Agriculture and the ICMSA.
It has been confirmed that the department is in the process of introducing new technology for grading beef in factories.
Denis Naughten has said that he will push the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to introduce new beef grading machines.
Michael Creed has revealed that there is no appeal procedure in place for farmers who are unhappy with their carcass grade.
Mechanical carcass grading machines must perform daily system checks, according to Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.
There have been questions raised regarding the protocol on how automatic grading machines are returned to service.
Automated meat grading machines were found to be inaccurate on eight occasions during Department of Agriculture inspections last year.
E-grade cattle accounted for the lowest proportion of animals slaughtered in approved beef export plants between January and March of this year.
