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.