Beef carcase specs under roundtable spotlight
The minister has confirmed that farmer and meat processors representatives at his roundtable beef talks in April were “diametrically opposed” on specifications for young bull production, and the impact these have on the market situation.
Mr Coveney expects that Mr Dowling will make a report on specifications at the next roundtable discussion, on June 3.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has met Mr Dowling and warned that a processor specification that young bulls be slaughtered at 16 months and not more than 380kg, “isn’t possible, nor is it wise for a country where grass is our key advantage, according to ICSA president Patrick Kent.
“Whereas last year, a bull beef feeder could anticipate bringing cattle to 450kg at €4/kg resulting in animals selling at around €1,800, the new reality is a price of €3.60 on a maximum of 380 kgs or €1,368 per head. “This is a game changer and it sends a very clear signal that there is no future for continental sucklers,” said Mr Kent.
