Producer groups
Adam Woods on 19 Apr 2021
Beef prices: trade up again for third week in a row
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s beef trade, including Monday’s starting factory quotes.
Adam Woods on 24 Mar 2021
Forward price contracts: a solution to our beef finishing income problems?
Beef editor Adam Woods takes a look at forward price contracts and a new initiative in the UK aiming to add more certainty to beef incomes.
Kieran Mailey on 24 Mar 2021
NISP 2020: the numbers behind the performance
In the final week of benchmarking analysis, the focus is on comparing the key inputs and outputs and production performance between the lowland and hill producers.
Darren Carty on 03 Feb 2021
Sheep trends: factory hold on hogget price weakening
The stalemate that developed between factories and those handling large numbers has resulted in throughput falling significantly.
Adam Woods on 11 Jan 2021
Beef prices: factories hungry for cattle as prices edge higher
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s beef trade, including Monday’s starting quotes around the country.
Darren Carty on 16 Dec 2020
Sheep trends: trade steadies on strong footing
Factory agents do not appear to be as anxious in going out and competing for lamb, but are happy to continue to maximise throughput.
Darren Carty on 14 Dec 2020
Sheep price update: factory and mart trade holding solid
The main change at the start of this week is Kildare Chilling increasing its base quote by 10c/kg to €5.60/kg plus its 10c/kg quality assurance bonus.
Darren Carty on 09 Dec 2020
Sheep Trends: 25c/kg to 35c/kg gap between top and bottom prices
Factory agents are keen to secure large batches of sheep to put themselves in a strong purchasing position and are also exceptionally keen for quality assured lamb.
Darren Carty on 07 Dec 2020
Sheep price update: sharper trade amid peak buying for Christmas market
Farmgate factory prices have increased by another 5c/kg to 10c/kg in some cases, while butcher and wholesale buyers are displaying a greater appetite in mart sales.
Darren Carty on 02 Dec 2020
Sheep Trends: prices edge upwards by 5c/kg to 10c/kg
Kildare Chilling was the main mover over the weekend with its base quote for Monday increasing 10c/kg to €5.50/kg plus 10c/kg quality assurance bonus.
Darren Carty on 25 Nov 2020
Sheep trends: solid trade with prices steadying
Factories have taken a step back from increasing prices to entice higher numbers forward and are operating within an average price range from €5.45/kg to €5.65/kg.
Justin McCarthy on 18 Nov 2020
A silent revolution in an overlooked sector
Is it time to put in place a national plan to further develop and grow this sustainable sector?
Darren Carty on 18 Nov 2020
Sheep trends: top prices range from €5.55/kg to €5.65/kg
Sheep producers have enjoyed another positive week’s trading, with prices rising 5c/kg to 10c/kg and top prices hitting €5.55/kg to €5.65/kg.
Darren Carty on 28 Oct 2020
Solid demand with prices unchanged
Factories are keen to operate at a high level of hroughput and compensate for a day's less processing by utilising extra processing capacity on the four day's they are killing.
Darren Carty on 26 Oct 2020
Sheep price update: quotes vary from steady to 5c/kg lower
Factories have certainly been more cautious in their purchasing behaviour in recent days, with a day’s less killing this week also giving them more wriggle room to keep a firm lid on price.
Darren Carty on 21 Oct 2020
Sheep trends: trade steadies with quotes unchanged
Many factories continue to quote similar prices to last week, but there is now a wider differential between what factories are quoting and paying.
Darren Carty on 19 Oct 2020
Sheep price update: factories forced to pay for large batches
Many factories continue to quote similar prices to last week, but there is now a wider differential between what factories are quoting and paying.
Darren Carty on 05 Oct 2020
Sheep price update: trade steady to 5c/kg lower
Factories are anxious for sheep, but continue to try to purchase lambs at a lower price.
Kieran Mailey on 23 Sep 2020
Lamb quotes down but deals on offer
Processing plants have cut lamb quotes but farmers report higher price deals are on offer.
Darren Carty on 23 Sep 2020
Sheep Prices: trade steadies following recent price pressure
Prices in some plants started the week with a 5c/kg to 10c/kg cut to base quotes, but now seem to have steadied.