Wednesday 12 September 2012
Ireland
Young farmers and politics
The majority of young farmers surveyed by Macra na Feirme believe German Chancellor Angela Merkel has more influence over what happens in Ireland than Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Almost 66pc of those surveyed said Ms Merkel had most control over Irish affairs, while just 34pc said Enda Kenny had more control.
Meanwhile, 78pc of young farmers maintained that a break-up of the euro common currency would have a negative effect on Irish agriculture. However, almost 82pc of those surveyed were still confident that the euro would survive its current difficulties.
Majority don't grass budget and cross-breeding divided
A surprising majority of young farmers still do not measure and grass budget on their farm every week. When asked, some 57pc of them said they did not grass budget weekly, while just under 40pc said they did.
Meanwhile, young farmers are almost equally divided on the role of cross-breeding in the national dairy herd.
Some 48.5pc of those surveyed said cross-breeding Friesian cows with Jersey or Norwegian Red was the way to go in Ireland, but 51.5pc were not in favour of the move.
The 25pc young farmer top-up payment included in the European Commission for CAP post-2013 is considered 'very important' by 77pc of young farmers and 'useful' by a further 18pc.
Less than 5pc of the farmers said it would make 'no great difference' to them.
Source: irishindependent
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