Ireland-Farmers want more for beef cattle.

IRELAND-PRICE FOR FINISHED CATTLE STILL IN DEBATE.

Michael Doran said cattle finishers were strongly resisting the negative price cutting tactics of the factories and he said most cattle slaughtered this week were sold at last weeks’ prices or a base price of €3.19/kg for R grades. He said heifers and bulls were making €3.25 to €3.36/kg and cows were making over €2.80/kg.

The IFA livestock leader said the price cuts from the factories will drive finishers out of business. He said "at prices of €3.19/kg to €3.36/kg, finishers were struggling to cover costs and breakeven. Any move by the factories to drive down prices will compound the losses for winter finishers and bankrupt many efficient operators".

Michael Doran said winter finishers are a vital component of the Irish beef sector and our ability to supply retail outlets on a year round basis.

Michael Doran said the facts of the beef market are; - Cattle supplies are very tight with the kill less than 30,000 head per week - Prices in our main market in the UK are strong at the equivalent of €3.40/kg - Since Christmas the sterling exchange rate has improved by the equivalent of more than 20c/kg - Beef prices in our main European markets are the equivalent of €3.50 to €4.00/kg - Europe has a beef deficit of 600,000t of beef - Brazilian imports into the EU are severely restricted.

The IFA livestock leader said farmers should insist on a base price of €3.19/kg at the factories. He said producers should also seriously consider the option of selling their cattle in the mart where factories were having to pay full value for finished stock.