IFA and ICSA critical of cattle price cuts at meat factories

IRELAND - A drop in cattle prices by meat factories has been criticised by two farming organisations. IFA national livestock chairman John Bryan said that moves by the meat factories to cut cattle prices were totally unjustified and a very negative blow to winter finishers.

14 March 2007

1 minute read

Europe

Speaking last week, he said most cattle being killed were on the previous week’s prices of E3.00/kg (107p/lb) for R grades and E2.88/kg (103p/lb) for O grades.

However a number of factories were quoting E2.94-E2.97/Kg (105-106 p/lb) for R grades and E2.83-E2.86/Kg (101-102 p/lb) for O grades.

Meanwhile, ICSA beef chairman Robin Smith has said that last week’s slide in beef prices was grave news for winter finishers. “Prices are back significantly for this week, and this is catastrophic for farmers engaged in winter finishing, particularly as feed prices are at an all-time high, up E20 per tonne on last year.

“It’s hard to get quotes from factories, and those that are quoting are imposing cuts for over 30-month cattle and anything over 400 kilos.

Source: Sligo Weekender