Plea not to slaughter unfinished cattle
ICOS national co-op marts committee chairman Tom Doyle issued the appeal in light of the recent difficulties in the beef market, and of the enormous numbers of unfinished cattle being sent to the factories.
Urging farmers to put their unfinished cattle on the market, he said there is a very strong demand for unfinished stock for further feeding at present, and due to a scarcity, the trade is very strong.
“There is no point in sending unfinished stock to the factory, just to claim a slaughter premium, when it is obvious that a combination of low factory prices and deductions and levies, will cost more than the value of that premium.” Mr Doyle said that there were compelling reasons for sending such stock to the mart, rather than to meat factories at the present time.
Factory prices are unacceptable low at present. Unfinished cattle are being further penalised in the factories. There is very strong demand in marts for cattle for further finishing. Such cattle are very scarce at present. Mart prices are very high.
He said the mart represented a good place to do business because there is prompt, guaranteed payment. The full price is known and agreed before the animal is sold.
Cork Marts chief executive Seán O’Sullivan said: “we would urge producers to look carefully at their options before selling. Farmer buyers are paying strong prices for punched out cattle which they will feed on to finished beef, which is what the factories want.”
