The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has welcomed the announcement of grant aid for enhanced new electronic data displays in marts throughout the country.

The grant assistance was announced today by Minister Creed as he visited Bandon Mart in Co. Cork.  It follows representations made by ICOS seeking the Department to support an improvement in the farmer information systems available in marts nationwide.

“Increasingly, farmers are buying animals due to their genetic profile, particularly in respect of dairy stock, rather than the look of the animal in the ring” said ICOS Marts Executive, Ray Doyle.  “The screens will allow for the uniform display of information for farmers, including EBI and beef genomics data, which will be of widespread benefit to the Irish livestock sector.”

The Department will now provide up to 40% in funding for the purchase of one new ringside display screen per livestock mart which will display relevant ICBF breeding values for beef and dairy replacement stock when they are sold in livestock marts.  Screens can cost as much as €10,000 each.

ENDS

Information: Ray Doyle, ICOS Marts Executive, 087 288 3499