Feeding for spring beef questionable

With beef prices at their lowest level in over a decade, it is obvious among those with cattle to finish this winter that there are more questions being raised than ever before about the economics of investing in feeding stock to slaughter next spring.

Last winter’s €3.75/kg base price was loss-making, no matter what way it is looked upon, but this will be cushioned somewhat with the €100/head Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) payment, which will be issued at year-end.