IFA urges winter beef finishers to hold tough on cattle prices

WINTER beef finishers must dig in on cattle prices and reject the scare-mongering and concerted efforts of factories and agents to undermine beef market confidence and cattle prices, cautions the Irish Farmers Association.

IFA national livestock committee chairman Michael Doran said feeders should hold out hard and insist on higher prices, noting that “feed, fertilisers and fuel prices have rocketed in recent weeks adding at least 25c/kg costs and feeders cannot afford to sell cattle at lower prices”.

The IFA livestock leader accused the factories of concerted moves to scupper cattle prices and undermine market confidence. He said the factories are showing a serious lack of commitment and scant regard for winter finishers.

Michael Doran said some factories were threatening farmers if they did not sell this week. He said this along with the move by some processors to kill their own feedlot cattle is a reflection of how tight supplies are and should only encourage feeders to hold out on prices.

The IFA livestock leader said €3.36/kg of a base price has been paid for steers and €3.42/kg to €3.50/kg for heifers and bulls. Quality cows have made €2.94/kg to €3.08/kg.

Mr Doran pointed out the Minister for Agriculture had opened up the Turkish market, a high price outlet for bull beef exports. However, none of the main factories had responded to this opportunity.

The IFA livestock leader reaffirmed the key market factors for the beef trade and highlighted the projections for tight cattle supplies this spring and higher beef market price returns.