Some farmers have rushed to kill cattle in May based on speculation that the €100m Brexit beef compensation fund could be paid out on cattle killed this month.
Last week’s beef kill of 34,446 head was well above normal for the time of year. It was 1,593 head higher than the previous week and more than 2,500 head higher than the corresponding weeks in 2018 and 2017.
There are several factors underpinning the higher kill. Some finishers are hopeful that the €100m Brexit compensation period may be extended to include May cattle.
There have been no indications from either the Department of Agriculture or the European Commission that this will be the case.
Good weather
Good weather is also boosting cull cow performance, with numbers jumping two weeks earlier than in 2018.
The third factor is more under-16-month bulls coming on stream.
The higher numbers have allowed factories to drop prices.
Prices are running 30c/kg on average behind the same period in 2018
Market entry quotes for steers and heifers remain at €3.90/kg and €4.00/kg respectively, but fewer finishers are securing higher prices.
It is a similar story for young bulls and cows.
Prices are running 30c/kg, or €100 per head on a 330kg carcase, on average behind the same period in 2018.
IFA demands
Meanwhile, the IFA has said that it wants the €100m to be paid to farmers only and to only be paid out on prime bullocks, heifers and young bulls, but not cows.
Based on its own analysis, removing cows would free up €33m.
It wants finished cattle sold through the marts to be included and has said that suckler farmers and farmers who finished cattle since last autumn were hardest hit by Brexit.
Regional meetings
The IFA is holding a series of eight regional meetings about the €100m fund, starting in Mayo next week.
On Monday night, the ICSA decided to hold consultation meetings with its members about the €100m fund.
Read more
Beef prices: higher numbers curtailing prices
Farmers to have their say on €100m beef fund at eight meetings
Some farmers have rushed to kill cattle in May based on speculation that the €100m Brexit beef compensation fund could be paid out on cattle killed this month.
Last week’s beef kill of 34,446 head was well above normal for the time of year. It was 1,593 head higher than the previous week and more than 2,500 head higher than the corresponding weeks in 2018 and 2017.
There are several factors underpinning the higher kill. Some finishers are hopeful that the €100m Brexit compensation period may be extended to include May cattle.
There have been no indications from either the Department of Agriculture or the European Commission that this will be the case.
Good weather
Good weather is also boosting cull cow performance, with numbers jumping two weeks earlier than in 2018.
The third factor is more under-16-month bulls coming on stream.
The higher numbers have allowed factories to drop prices.
Prices are running 30c/kg on average behind the same period in 2018
Market entry quotes for steers and heifers remain at €3.90/kg and €4.00/kg respectively, but fewer finishers are securing higher prices.
It is a similar story for young bulls and cows.
Prices are running 30c/kg, or €100 per head on a 330kg carcase, on average behind the same period in 2018.
IFA demands
Meanwhile, the IFA has said that it wants the €100m to be paid to farmers only and to only be paid out on prime bullocks, heifers and young bulls, but not cows.
Based on its own analysis, removing cows would free up €33m.
It wants finished cattle sold through the marts to be included and has said that suckler farmers and farmers who finished cattle since last autumn were hardest hit by Brexit.
Regional meetings
The IFA is holding a series of eight regional meetings about the €100m fund, starting in Mayo next week.
On Monday night, the ICSA decided to hold consultation meetings with its members about the €100m fund.
Read more
Beef prices: higher numbers curtailing prices
Farmers to have their say on €100m beef fund at eight meetings
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