A chink of light emerged on Wednesday in the prolonged beef dispute. As we were going to print, hopes were mounting that protesting farmers at a number of factory gates would step away on Wednesday evening.

Farmers at the Dawn Meats plant at Slane confirmed they had ended their protest. Protesters at ABP Bandon, Cahir and Clones were also understood to be contemplating stepping away.

The potential breakthrough in the eight-week dispute comes as the true cost to farmers becomes apparent.

Multiple mart managers are increasingly concerned about the slowdown in demand

The kill is running at 67,000 cattle below normal since the dispute started. This week’s kill is expected to be as low as 7,000 cattle. That would be the lowest weekly kill in decades apart from exceptional weather events.

This means the backlog on farms is now heading for 100,000 cattle, worth about €120m.

Multiple mart managers are increasingly concerned about the slowdown in demand, particularly for forward stores. They say that finishers cannot afford to buy until they sell. One mart fatstock sale has been postponed.

This would help to start the process of building some sort of trust

Dawn Meats on Tuesday threatened to pursue Hugh Doyle, co-chair of the Beef Plan Movement, for €500,000 or perhaps more.

Dawn alleged Doyle made comments that protesters at Slane might end their protest if they were given a base price commitment. Dawn was of the opinion that this revealed he “influences” the “illegal blockade”. Beef Plan rejected these claims.

IFA president Joe Healy also urged factories to come forward with a strong base price. “This would help to start the process of building some sort of trust and to get the industry up and running,” he said. “The industry should fully re-open.”