Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the average estimated cost of feeding a suckler cow on (a) a hill farm and (b) a lowland farm in 1972–73, 1974–75 and 1975–76;
(2) what is the percentage increase in the cost of feeding (a) a suckler cow on hill land and (b) a suckler cow on a lowland farm since the 1972–73 financial year to the 1975–76 financial year.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI would refer to the replies that I gave to Questions by the hon. Member on 30th October and 12th November, in which average gross margins for suckler cows were given as recorded on farms participating in the Northern Ireland Farm Management Survey.—[Vol. 898, c. 614–5; Vol. 899, c. 842.]
The following allowances were made for feed costs:
£ per cow and calf to weaning Upland Lowland 1972–73 18.50 17 1974–75 27.50 23 1975–76 (Estimated) 31.00 28 Feed costs include those of concentrates, purchased hay—where relevant—and the variable costs of grazing and of making home-grown hay or silage.
These figures indicate increases in feed costs between 1973–74 and 1975–76 of some 68 per cent. and 65 per cent. for hill and lowland herds respectively. However, these costs do not relate to identical samples of farms and may refer to different rations in different years.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what percentage the estimated net income on a suckler cow on (a) a hill farm and (b) 796W on a lowland farm has decreased since the 1972–73 financial year to the 1975–76 financial year.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt is not possible to allocate fixed costs to derive net profits from suckler cow herds.