IFA: Cattle price prospects good

THE prospects for cattle prices in 2008 are positive, according to John Bryan, the outgoing chairman of the Irish Farmers Association’s Livestock Committee.

He told a meeting of 500 farmers in Donegal that much tighter supplies and restrictions on Brazilian imports will drive prices.

In addition, fundamental changes like population growth and consumer demand, higher producer costs and the conversion from beef production to energy crops in South America were driving market returns, he said.

Mr Bryan, whose term as Livestock Committee chairman will come to an end at the IFA annual general meeting in Dublin later this month, was thanked at a meeting in Abbeyleix by President Padraig Walshe, for his “tremendous work and delivery for farmers”.

A suckler and beef finisher, Michael Doran, Duncormick, Co Wexford, who also farms sheep and cereals, has been elected to succeed Mr Bryan.

Mr Doran said a big increase in beef cattle prices to restore viability to livestock farming will be his number one issue.

“Cattle supplies will be very tight in the new year and with the severe restrictions on imports from Brazil secured by the IFA, this should drive an immediate and substantial increase in cattle prices.”

Mr Doran said he would ensure the interests of beef and livestock farmers remain a priority, adding he was very determined to secure a viable future for livestock farmers.