The Northern Ireland Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) has warned Northern Ireland farmers importing live cattle from the Republic of Ireland, for further feeding, to beware of the “nomad” cattle issue.

It urged them to make sure that farmers have talked to processors about processing these cattle before any purchases are made.

Nomad cattle are cattle that have been born and reared in the Republic of Ireland but finished in Northern Ireland. They do not qualify for the Red Tractor label, which is a further requirement for most of the major UK retailers.

During August 2020, some 3,194 cattle were exported from the Republic for further breeding and production on Northern Ireland farms.

This pushed the total cattle exports for further feeding from the Republic to 26,055 head between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2020.

That is almost double the number of cattle exported for breeding and further finishing during the same period in 2019 and is the highest level recorded in the last decade.

Tighter finished cattle supplies in Northern Ireland have also meant increased exports to Northern Ireland for direct slaughter.

Up to the end of August, 13,864 cattle were exported for direct slaughter, peaking at 1,047 head exported for direct slaughter for the first week of June.

That’s a 276% increase on the 3,681 cattle exported for direct slaughter to NI for the same period in 2019.

Irish Farmers Journal analysis shows that beef finishers would require a beef price of €4.57/kg next March to cover their costs of production.

This year, the risk involved in winter finishing is higher than ever as the threat of Brexit and trade distortion looms large on the horizon.

JOIN THE WEBINAR

Next Wednesday 23 September, the Irish Farmers Journal will host a live interactive webinar on www.farmersjournal.ie/winter finishing. Topics will include feeding regimes, financial budgets and Brexit implications.

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