ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF FORAGE PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION ON IRISH FARMS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON BEEF PRODUCTION

At present Ireland is a keen applicant for admission into the European Economic community. Sheehy has stated that if Ireland becomes a full member of this community it will have a comparative advantage in the production of grass products. This will be particularly true in the case of beef production. With this in mind the main objective of this research paper was to introduce how the grass crop has fitted into the Irish farming scene up to now and what recommendations should be made in order to maximize net returns from this forage crop in the future