Closing in on ‘maybe’ end prices

“IT can’t work. It won’t work, the whole thing is wrong,” said the cattle dealer sitting across the table from me in the Carrick-on-Suir livestock mart canteen last Friday.

“Do the sums. Forget about continentals for a minute. Friesians at €2 a kilo, that’s €880 for a 440kg bullock, plus €20 between haulage, mart fees and whatever doses you give him when you get home. That’s €900. A hundred minimum, probably €130 to winter him, and you’re at €1,030 by next April. What would he make to kill him this time next year, do you think?”

“God knows, €1,200, €1,250, maybe,” I reply. “Providing it stays fine, and I’m not talking about the weather.”