IFA president Tim Cullinan said factories must stop driving farmers out of business and give an immediate beef price increase. “The market has clearly improved, yet factories continue to try to hold back the price. The IFA has outlined 10 reasons why cattle prices should rise. The factories need to increase prices immediately,” he said.

IFA national livestock chair Brendan Golden said that all of the market facts point to a rising market. He said it is clear the factories can pay more.

Reasons why cattle prices should rise

1. Prices in our main export market in the UK have increased by 44c/kg since 25 April, while Irish prices have only risen by 22c/kg.

2. The AHBD reports that UK steer price is at £3.68/kg, equivalent to €4.29/kg including VAT and continuing to rise, up another 2.3p/kg for the latest reported week ending 20 June. This is 48c/kg above the Irish price, which amounts to a price differential of €173 on an average steer.

3. Cattle prices across the main EU markets are also recovering with retail sales continuing to show strong growth and food service coming back as the COVID-19 restrictions ease.

4. The Bord Bia prime export benchmark price has moved ahead of the Irish price over the last two weeks, showing the improvement in market returns.

5. Factories agents and procurement managers are very active, buying finished cattle in the marts and online, paying prices that are significantly above their quoted prices.

6. Northern Ireland factories are very active in the Republic, paying prices from 10c/kg to 20c/kg above Irish prices.

7. The R3 steer price in Northern Ireland was £3.61/kg, which is equivalent to €4.20/kg.

8. The Northern Ireland LMC reports that 785 cattle were exported live from the Republic to Northern Ireland for slaughter in the week to 20 June.

9. Department of Agriculture AIMs data on future cattle supplies shows that on 1 May there was a reduction of 83,000 in the number of beef cattle in the 12- to 24-month category and 10,000 in the 24- to 36-month category compared to 2019, meaning supplies over the next number of months will remain tighter than 2019 levels.

Retail consumption figures for Ireland continue to show strong growth on beef sales, up 17.4% for the 12 weeks to 17 May 17th, compared to 2019. In the UK, retail data shows beef volume sales up 22.4% and value sales up 23.1%, for the 12-week period to 17 May compared to 2019, with stake sales up 24% and mince up 36%.

Financial support for farmers affected by avian flu welcome

IFA poultry chair Andy Boylan has welcomed the introduction of a Department of Agriculture financial support scheme for the 14 flock owners who suffered total flock loss due to low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) commonly known as bird flu, in the past four months.

These farms are all located in the Monaghan region, the heartland of Irish poultry production. They will qualify under the de minimus aid scheme. Following an IFA submission made to the Department of Agriculture seeking financial assistance, and extensive lobbying by many IFA members, particularly in the Cavan-Monaghan region, the Department has introduced a de minimus scheme for the 14 farms affected. The scheme is only open to farms affected up until 1 July. A payment of €20,000 will be made available to successful applicants to the scheme, totalling €280,000.

“While this will not cover the losses that any poultry farmer incurred due to LPAI infection on their farms, it will go some way towards the costs incurred during the cull and disinfection process. The supports are welcome and all stakeholders must continue the ongoing dialogue in an effort to tackle such diseases in the sector,” he said.

Keep your dog on a lead or face the consequences

IFA sheep chair Sean Dennehy said garda statistics showing nearly 50 dog attacks on sheep since March prove that dog owners continue to act in an irresponsible manner.

“These statistics highlight two clear issues – irresponsible dog ownership and the magnitude of the problem of dog attacks on sheep.”

Despite repeated appeals, Dennehy said dog owners refuse to take responsibility for their pets. “The IFA has a detailed protocol on this issue. Farmers are fed up with the casual approach of some dog owners who will not accept the damage their pets can inflict on sheep,” he said.