Ireland-Farmers go to school.

IRELAND.

FARMERS GO TO SCHOOL.

Over 32,000 farmers in Ireland out of the 55,000 registered for the suckler cow animal welfare scheme, have been on a course to learn more about their industry as was requested by the Department of Agriculture in Dublin.

The course was compulsory for producers partaking in the scheme, and the farmers have been attending and learning over the last 3 months according to the Department of Agriculture.

Speaking after the winter session Pearce Kelly from Teagasc, said " The scheme provides important income support for suckler farmers. The training helps to provide producers with a better knowledge of how to produce better beef in a friendly way. In some areas the courses have already been 80% completed".

The scheme and the training course have been a huge success, according to Bernard Smyth the dry-stock program organizer for Teagasc.