Cattle prices

With grass cattle now gone, Christmas market demand in full swing and factories trying to buy cattle out of sheds, IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said farmers should be demanding a new minimum base price of €4.00/kg. He said farmers should dig in as factories are very anxious for stock and are finding it extremely difficult to get numbers at the current low quoted prices.

Hen harrier scheme

National hill chair Pat Dunne has criticised the lack of progress in getting the hen harrier scheme up and running. He said Minister Creed must make movement on the scheme a priority as it is now more than six months since a project team was appointed. He said a significant amount of the €25m allocation to the scheme must benefit farmers and the scheme must address the restrictions on farmers’ land and their impact on income.

Timber survey

The latest IFA timber price survey shows farmers are getting a higher price across all product types. The largest increase is for sawlog, which saw farmers being paid up to €80/t at roadside. Forestry chair Pat Collins reminded farmers that it is important to know the local market and advised farmers selling to contact their local IFA forestry rep or check the price survey at www.ifa.ie/forestry.

IFA app

Keep up to date with the latest IFA news, access expert market reports and commentary, and learn more about IFA campaigns and events with the IFA app. Swipe through news and information relevant to you and your farm, save or share important articles and find out about the services and benefits you can avail of as an IFA member. Download it now at www.ifa.ie/app.