Diversification pays

11 July 1997

Diversification pays

FARM diversification accounts for 80% of the profit on one Co Fermanagh beef farm.

Clive Weir produces beef at low cost, securing a gross margin of £354 a cow from his 40 suckler cows, finishing 60 store cattle and receiving ESA payments of £3740 a year. But it is the 64ha (158-acre) farms bed and breakfast enterprise that is most profitable, bringing in 44% of the income with a high proportion retained as profit, says Mr Weir.