Processors point to inefficient farms

Beef processors have said high prices for cattle, feed and fertiliser, and lack of efficiency progress, are the reasons why record beef prices of the past few years did not translate into record farmer profits.

Meat Industry Ireland (MII), on behalf of processors, said the future for Irish beef and the suckler herd is fundamentally sound, but farm profitability challenges need to be addressed.

MII has confirmed that members will exercise further flexibility on carcase weights up to next April, in response to concerns about heavy carcases, which account for a small proportion of overall cattle output. “Weight flexibilities will be dealt with on a plant-by-plant basis, and producers of heavy animals should engage early and directly with processors to establish the opportunity and best timing for marketing such animals.”