R3 heifers hit by price drop in Ireland

Farmers in Ireland were hit by the biggest drop in R3 heifer prices across the EU for the mid-June to mid-July period.

From getting the second-best price in a 16-country comparison for the week ending Jun 23, Irish farmers fell to fourth place for the week ending Jul 21 — when their average price was still 16.7c/kg (or 4%) ahead of the EU average.

Official prices reported to the EC Dressing Specification, published last week by the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland, showed Irish R3 heifer farmgate prices in mid-June of 465.3c/kg (11% above EU average), but falling to 434.1c/kg a month later.

In mid-July, French farmers were getting the top price of 466c/kg, moving up from third place in mid-June, and displacing previous table toppers Great Britain.

The main export destination for Irish beef, Great Britain, had farmgate prices falling 7c in a month, compared to 31.2c in Ireland.

Meanwhile, prices in Northern Ireland fell 16.6c, but moved up one position on the league table from fourth position to third.