IFA - Irish Farmers Association

24/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 24/05/2024 15:12

Beef & Sheep Update 24th May

Beef Update

IFA President Francie Gorman said a fundamental overhaul of the dairy beef scheme is immediately required in order to secure a viable and sustainable calf to beef sector. "From the outset, we pointed out the glaring error in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan when it omitted a rearing payment for calves from the dairy herd. We subsequently had the launch of a 10-point action plan to support calf to beef systems, but with absolutely no financial support provided for farmers, which IFA highlighted from the earliest point," he said.

Francie Gorman said in detailed submissions to the Minister and his officials to the Food Vision groups last year and again to the consultation for the 10-point action plan earlier this year, IFA highlighted the absence of these supports for calf rearers and called for a payment of €100 per calf for farmers rearing calves from the dairy herd. The current dairy beef scheme provides a payment to dairy farmers for breeding higher beef merit beef calves, but provides no funding to those who actually rear the calves. This is a mistake and must be resolved." It's not too late to correct this. The Minister must come forward with a direct support payment of €100 per calf for farmers who are investing in rearing these calves.

Beef Price Update 23/05/2024

Base Quotes Steer €5.05/5.15kg. Heifers €5.10/5.20kg. Higher deals and flat prices for larger and specialist lots. Y Bulls R/U €5.25/5.50Kg. Cows €4.30/5.00kg.

Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM - WK 20 (19.05.2024)

Animal Number Change prev wk % of total YTD YTD Change
Y Bulls 2,456 ▲608 8% 47,619 ▼-2,779
Bull 669 ▲34 2% 9,950 ▼-292
Steer 12,192 ▲274 38% 244,791 ▲5,142
Cow 6,956 ▼-186 22% 167,848 ▲18,967
Heifer 8,959 ▲114 28% 202,347 ▲9,413
Veal-V 622 ▲310 2% 18,512 ▼-11,868
Veal-Z 40 ▼-3 0% ,985 ▲113
Total 31,894 ▲1,151 100% 692,052 ▲3,665

Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM - WK 20 (19.05.2024)

c/kg (Incl. VAT) U3 Change prev wk R3 Change prev wk O3 Change prev wk P+3 Change prev wk
Steers 549 ▼-6 540 ▼-7 532 ▼-4 498 ▼-4
Heifers 562 ▼-1 547 ▼-4 537 ▼-3 488 ▼-1
Y Bulls 543 ▼-6 529 ▼-3 511 ▼-2 501 ▲5
Cows 0 ▲0 488 ▲1 443 ▼-2 426 ▼-1

Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB

Steers Steers Heifers Heifers Y bull Y bull Cow
p/kg R3 R4L R3 R4L R3 R4L -O4L
11/05/2024 492.2 495.9 491.6 495.8 481.9 484.6 386.5
18/05/2024 491.5 494.5 489.7 493.6 479.3 478.8 386.7
Change ▼-1 ▼-1 ▼-2 ▼-2 ▼-3 ▼-6 ▲0
Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) 603.5 607.2 601.3 606.1 588.5 587.9 474.8

Euro Price for the Most Recent Week (€/KG Deadweight excl. VAT)

Country & Type 30.04.2022 29.04.2023 04.05.2024
EU + Y Bulls € 5.14 € 5.05 € 5.01
IE + Steers € 4.90 € 5.28 € 5.22
UK + Steers € 5.21 € 5.59 € 5.68

Live Cattle ExportsW/C 13.05.2024

[Link]Source: Bord Bia

Sheep Update

IFA National Sheep Chair Adrian Gallagher has called for more meaningful action from Government as dog attacks on livestock continue. He said farmers are facing an uphill battle as dog attacks on livestock escalate following further attacks in Monaghan and Louth in recent days. The frequency and severity of dog attacks on livestock has reached unprecedented levels, causing immense distress and financial losses for the effected farmers. These attacks are escalating and are compounded by the inability of dog wardens and shelters to accommodate the increasing number of stray, unwanted and abandoned dogs across the country. Adrian Gallagher has called on both Minister's with responsibility in this area to ensure there is adequate facilities in place for these dogs and those belonging to owners who refuse to accept their responsibilities as dog owners. Recognising the importance of the national media campaign informing owners of their responsibilities, the IFA National Sheep Chair said the level of sanctions that are been applied do not reflect the savagery and trauma these uncontrolled dogs are causing.

Lamb Price Update 23/05/2024

Hogget's €9.20/9.50/kg. Weights to 24kg. Spring Lamb €9.50/9.80kg. Weights to 21.5kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes €4.10/4.50/kg.

Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM - WK 20 (19.05.2024)

Animal Figure Change YTD YTD Change
Lambs/Hoggets 23,015 ▼-2,411 81,8302 ▼-83,204
Spring Lambs 13,533 ▲1,866 49,282 ▼-15,869
Ewes and Rams 4,176 ▲17 93,108 ▼-12,126
Light Lambs 6 ▲0 71 ▼-32
TOTAL 40,730 ▼-528 960,763 ▼-111,231

Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM - WK 20 (19.05.2024)

c/kg (Incl. VAT) This week Change prev. wk 2023 Change prev. yr
National Avg Price 861.14 ▲11 675.73 ▲167
YTD Avg 733.19 ▲6 624.81 ▲133

Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB

R3L Overall SQQ* Type of lamb
11/05/2024 834.1 822.9 Old season lamb
18/05/2024 842.6 827.5 Old season lamb
Change ▲9 ▲5
Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) 1034.6 1016.1 1

Live Sheep Exports March 31st 2024

[Link]Source: Bord Bia