Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the gross margin for a suckling cow in a hill farming area, and in the lowland area in Northern Ireland in 1973–74, and in 1974–75; and what it is in 1975–76; and what is the net profit in each case.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe average gross margins for suckler cow herds in the Northern Ireland Farm Management Survey in 1973–74 were £64 per cow for herds in respect of which hill cow subsidy was paid and £53 per cow for other herds.
373WExact figures for 1974–75 are not yet available. Estimates published in the January 1975 edition of "Agriculture in Northern Ireland" indicate that the gross margins in 1974–75 will be lower than in 1973–74. No estimates are available for 1975–76.
It is not possible to allocate fixed costs to derive average net profits from suckler herds.