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Native Cattle Breeding Programme

The Western Organic Network is launching a pilot project in the North West for organic beef farmers to commence a breeding programme to preserve and enhance the numbers of native breeds in Ireland.

The breeding programme to be developed will include assistance towards the cost of purchasing brood stock and training farmers on managing the breed in terms of

  • Enhancing breed quality and status.
  • Animal welfare
  • Biodiversity planning for each farm
  • Maintaining suitable grazing practices that reflect traditional grazing patterns and maintain field & hedgerow diversity
  • Monitoring and recording on a daily basis breed activity with emphasis on ability of native traditional breeds and their progeny to thrive on poorer quality rough grassland and withstand pests & diseases (eg liver fluke) that are endemic to the West of Ireland.
To ensure economic viability of the rare breeds, a feasibility study of developing a niche market in rare breed meat sales will be undertaken. Contact us for further information.

Organic Broiler Production

The Western Organic Network have been successful in receiving funding for a feasibility study on the viability of a establishing a network of organic broiler growers to supply a local market. A feasibility grant has been awarded from The Leitrim County Enterprise Board to investigate the project.

The study will investigate the viability of setting up a network of 8-10 farmers that will grow batches of 300-500 chickens to supply an existing market.

The study involves looking at costings, housing, and the production of high end organic products that would be marketed as a niche product. The issues of processing will also be considered. Contact us for further information.
email link to info@westernorganicnetwork.com