There have been calls to double the number of live exports this year to compensate for beef poor prices.

Last year, 190,000 cattle were exported live, most of which (161,000) were calves. IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said every effort must be made to increase this number.

He said: “IFA is meeting with the live exporters tomorrow and will be targeting a record year for live exports in 2019. For 2019, Minister Creed needs to be looking at doubling the number of live exports.”

He stated that Minister Creed must prevent restrictions on live trade, and that supportive national and EU policy is vital to the growth in the trade.

Prices

Factories are quoting a base price of €3.75/kg for steers and €3.85/kg for heifers, with cow prices between €2.60 and €3.30/kg.

According to Woods, winter finisher prices are unsustainable at 25c/kg or €90/head lower than they were at this time last year.

UK cattle prices have risen over the past week, which he has said was a positive sign. UK steer prices are now hitting £3.62/kg, equivalent to €4.24/kg.