ICMSA predict better year ahead for farmers

ICMSA predicted a better year ahead for farmers after this week’s beef industry summit meeting, but IFA said farmers have real worries that a rationalised beef-processing will “manage output and prices”.

ICMSA President Pat O’Rourke said he was particularly encouraged by progress in objective grading of cattle and by Bord Bia’s prediction of a better balanced market in 2003 returning improved prices.

Cattle prices are the only real measurement of performance in the beef sector, said John Dillon.