Improved Irish retail demand sees cattle prices rising
The Irish Farmers Association reports that domestic cattle prices are strengthening due to contracting supplies and steady retail demand.
15 May 2020
1 minute read
IFA National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said that procurement managers and agents are on the road, searching for stock and offering deals that include the full cost of transport, removal of weight restrictions and additional price top ups.
The base price for Irish cattle continues to rise with some deals for steers at €3.55/3.60/kg and deals for heifers at €3.60/3.70/kg.
Brendan Golden said the supply balance has swung in favour of the farmer and feeders should dig in hard and negotiate a strong premium above the quoted base price as well as transport and other specifications.
Golden said finishers are still in a precarious position on price and shipping losses compared to where they need to be to break even or make a margin.
“IFA will continue to push Minister Creed hard to secure a direct payment for finishers to cover the COVID-19 and Brexit-related losses on cattle sold this year.”
On live exports, Brendan Golden said the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed must intervene and resolve the issues between the Department and the exporter on the Algerian trade.
“At a time when finishers are encountering major losses and struggling to find a viable outlet for bulls, we cannot allow a live export opportunity to be missed.”
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