Beef finishers struggle with margins squeezed

While beef prices have steadied at local factories, the live trade for cattle has continued its upward momentum. Based on MartWatch data over the past week, prices averaged 223p/kg for good-quality U grade steers, up 7p/kg on the previous week. This sees the value of a 600kg animal increase by £42.

Prices for average-quality animals rose by 5p/kg to 197p/kg, increasing the value of a 600kg animal by £30. Prices for Friesian-type cattle have held steady at 168p/kg.

With the mart trade continuing to strengthen, a number of specialist beef finishers have told the Irish Farmers Journal that they are currently struggling to make a margin on cattle, especially as beef prices have now stalled.

“A current mart price around 220p/kg, is the equivalent of a finished price of 380p/kg and higher,” commented one local finisher.

NI heifer prices fourth highest in the EU

Farm-gate prices for beef heifers in NI were the fourth highest in the EU during May, with R3 animals averaging 363p/kg, an increase of 16p/kg on April.

Across the EU, the average price of R3-grade heifers was 337p/kg which is an increase of 24p/kg on the previous month.

Sweden continues to pay the highest price with R3 heifers at 408p/kg, followed by Greece on 393p/kg.

Britain paid the third highest heifer price of 368p/kg, up 17p/kg on April. Coming after NI, the Republic of Ireland is fifth with an average R3 heifer price of 359p/kg, up 21p/kg on the previous month.