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FARMING - BEEF & SHEEP

A collection of the latest news, views and analysis from the farming desk on the topic of Beef and Sheep.

<p>Suppliers are reporting that, in general, 800c/kg is being paid for the lambs, with supplies tight and the factories anxious for intake.</p>

farming

Live lamb trade heats up with €6-10/head lift in mart prices

Smaller entries at the live sales at the marts for the early days this week contributed to full clearances, with strong demand and prices improved by €6–10/head on last week

<p>With the weekly intake holding at 32,000 head, producer expectations of a pre-Christmas lift on prices has been dampened down, with some processors warning that a 10c/kg cut on the base is more likely. File photo</p>

farming

Hopes of pre-Christmas beef price rise fade with talk of 10c/kg cuts

<p>Tomás O'Toole: 'Overall, the farming year has been mostly positive, with good prices for sheep and record prices reached for weanlings this year, along with generally good weather during the key times of the year, namely spring and summer.'</p>

farming

Stretching the grazing season: How Tomás is cutting winter costs

Fatmilking of cow utter before milking

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Detail of cow muzzle.

farming

ieExplains: What is bluetongue and should farmers be worried?

a close up of an animal against blurred background

farming

Bluetongue suspected in Northern Ireland

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Farmers facing higher costs with new antiparasitic rules, says ICSA

Farmers facing higher costs with new antiparasitic rules, says ICSA

The ICSA have warned that farmers are already seeing antiparasitics increase in prices with the looming rule change in December

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Animal Health Ireland announce details of next series of CalfCare Roadshow

Animal Health Ireland announce details of next series of CalfCare Roadshow

The roadshows will run from December 8, 2025, to January 22, 2026

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Ireland flag on bar chart concept with increasing values, economic recovery and business improving after crisis and other catast

Irish agri-food exports increase in value by 65% in a decade

Irish agri-food exports reach over 190 markets worldwide and account for 8.6% of Irish goods exported

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Close up shot of raw meat hanging on hooks at a slaughterhouse

Young bulls maintain premium as processors resist price rises

It is difficult to get above 740c/kg this week, with the processors showing clearly that they want most stock on the grid and resisting lots being offered on a flat price basis

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Sheep pen

Factory-ready lambs scarce but processors hold the line on price

The number of factory-ready lambs has tightened, putting some pressure on the processors to source sufficient, but all the indications are that price increases are also conceded

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

The department must honour full payment for all weighed calves, says ICSA

The department must honour full payment for all weighed calves, says ICSA

ICSA have condemned the department's decision to now only pay for 31 calves on the NDBWS scheme and not the original 50 calves promised to farmers

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Meat industry,meats hanging in the cold store. Cattles cut and hanged on hook in a slaughterhouse. Halal cutting.

Factories' ‘scaremongering’ tactics deserves ‘all guns blazing’ rebuff by farmers, says ICMSA

The ICMSA have called on farmers to 'call their bluff' when it comes to factories utilising 'scaremonger' tactics in an effort to control the live and slaughter trade

Fri, 21 Nov, 2025

feedlot intensive production system beef cattle

Government still falling short on blocking Mercosur

ICSA said they are 'deeply disappointed' with the Irish Government's lack of action on opposing the Mercosur trade deal

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Rows of young plug plants growing in a field

Organic farming scheme now open for applications

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said funding of €58.6m was allocated in the budget to support organic farmers

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Minister Noel Grealish promotes Irish agri-food in Mexico

Minister Noel Grealish promotes Irish agri-food in Mexico

Mr Grealish travelled to Mexico this week in light of the pending free trade agreement between Mexico and the EU, and to promote Irish agri-food

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Ireland flag on bar chart concept with decreasing values, concept of economic crisis, politics conflicts, war concept with flag

Milk and crop prices have dropped by more than 11% in the past year, CSO reports

Both milk and crop prices have seen significant drops of over 11% in the Agricultural Output Price Index for September 2025, published by the CSO

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Agriculture and Dairy Cows

Stock keepers urged to review dosing plans as hoose risk increases

When choosing products, it’s essential to check the label and determine the life stage the flukicide targets

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Free range

Index forecasts greater liver fluke prevalence in the Midlands, west and north this month

Liver fluke prevalence is predicted to be highest in the Midlands, west and northern areas of the country this year

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Quality lambs secure up to €800c/kg in keen factory demand

The factories are quoting 755–770c/kg plus the quality bonus for the lambs for this week in a continuation of the stable trade over recent weeks at unchanged prices.

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Female hands cutting a piece of ribs in a butchers shop

Prime cattle prices slip amid seven-month-high kill

The biggest challenge now is to keep the base for beef at a price that leaves producers with a margin, without killing the market, writes Martin Ryan

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Government must step up to stop Mercosur, says ICSA president

Government must step up to stop Mercosur, says ICSA president

ICSA president Sean McNamara said if this deal goes ahead, it will destroy the Irish beef sector and devastate rural Ireland

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Compensation delays compounding TB stress for farmers

Compensation delays compounding TB stress for farmers

Almost €10.5m has been paid in compensation by Q3 this year but the ICMSA say delays in payments is compounding stress on farmers locked down with TB.

Mon, 17 Nov, 2025

Cows eating hay in a barn in a row for feeding time, head through bars

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the 'Irish Examiner' digital Farming hub

Mon, 17 Nov, 2025

A cows on a pasture on a summer. Livestock on free grazing. Livestock farm. Agricultural landscape, cow on green grass field.

National beef conference to focus on ‘value, profit and renewal’

Event aims to bring together beef farmers, industry representatives, researchers and advisers to discuss how Irish beef producers can make the most of strong market conditions and plan for a sustainable, profitable future

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Silage clamp on a dairy farm in England, United Kingdom

Brian Reidy: The causes and cures for heating in grass silage

Moulds can thrive in silage that’s not well managed, worsening the problem, advises independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Soy beans

Livestock sector faces €1.5bn hit from rising soya prices

Two factors have now disrupted the global soya market, and their outcome will determine how much farmers pay for feedstuffs this winter

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Female doctor giving vaccine to a male patient

Merchants fear fallout as anti-parasitic rule change looms

Central Statistics Office data indicates that Ireland's veterinary medicines market is worth about €400m annually

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

Lamb prices steady but mart trade remains flat

Supplies to factories remain lower than this time last year, and prices are weaker than in 2024

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

workplace food industry - factory butchery for the production of sausages - butcher cuts meat

Factory prices steady but perks tighten for beef producers

Processors are operating on a tightrope policy — wanting intake to hold up but without additional costs, a delicate balance to achieve

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

Ireland wins World’s Best Steak award

Ireland wins World’s Best Steak award

Dawn Meats and Lidl secured the 'World's Best Steak' award for their Irish grass-fed sirloin at the World Steak Challenge

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

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