Beef farmers demand price increase

AS LIVESTOCK marts reopened yesterday after the Christmas break, farmers began to play hardball with the processing factories by warning they are not prepared to sell cattle without a substantial price increase.

IFA president Padraig Walshe said finished cattle supplies are scarce and farmers with stock to sell have something factories desperately need.

There was a full sell-out of beef in the British and domestic markets over the Christmas period and there is nothing left in stock.