Beef price and income levels at farm level are the burning issues facing young beef farmers across the country. The beef forum allows stakeholders to come together and set out a complete vision for the development and profitability of the sector into the future. This vision needs to have at its core the delivery of a decent return for farmers, which has been lost in previous agri-food strategies.

The beef industry is worth over €2.1bn to the economy, equating to 30% of agricultural output, and is vital for sustaining rural communities. The forum provides an opportunity to set out this vision by bringing the Department of Agriculture, farmers, processors and other industry stakeholders together.

Up to now, the beef forum has delivered little for beef farmers and its success will be judged on setting out clear objectives and delivering for farmers who are under real pressure due to lower prices this autumn.

New markets

Speaking after the forum, Macra na Feirme national president Seán Finan said: “We welcome the work that is in progress by Minister Creed and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on access to new markets and the development of existing markets for Irish beef and live cattle. We in Macra na Feirme call for this market access work to be prioritised by the Department of Agriculture with additional resources put in place, as required, to drive this further. New markets and the development of existing markets are vital for farmers in light of the challenges we face as a result of Brexit and also due to the fact that there will be up to between 100,000 and 120,000 additional cattle in the system in 2017.”

Higher prices

Finan said: “Higher beef prices are vitally important to deliver a decent margin to young beef farmers. Young beef farmers also need to drive efficiencies within their own farmgate to capitalise fully on any increase in price.

‘‘As young farmers, we in Macra na Feirme are willing to play our part in working with the whole industry to overcome the challenges. Foodwise 2025 sets out a vision for the development of the beef industry through both increases and growth in production levels, but lacks detail in how to improve income levels at farm level and this is the missing piece of the jigsaw the forum must address into the future.”