Trying to make ends meat

ONLY a few weeks after the best cattle prices in 20 years, and farmers were denouncing processors for pulling back prices, warning they were threatening Ireland’s beef supply by paying below the farmers’ cost of production.

Seán Scully of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association said the processors were putting Irish food production in jeopardy, because farmers’ production costs are rising with such fearsome speed.

Coming so soon after near record prices, his statement may indicate that cattle farmers are running out of the patience that kept them in the business through thick and thin for years.