Cattle Prices Must Rise
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said cattle prices need to rise substantially in 2020.
He said the base price has re-opened at €3.60/kg for steers and heifers, but supplies are tight and better deals are being negotiated.
Prices in our main export market in the UK have continued to rise over the holiday period with R3 steers making the equivalent of €4.20/kg incl vat for week ending Dec 28th.
“Based on prices in our main export market in the UK, which are the equivalent of €4.20/kg, Irish prices have major potential to rise.”
Analysing the kill for 2019, Angus Woods said the total kill reached 1,737,285 head, down 61,009 on 2018 levels.
He said the major changes were a 41,000 head reduction in the steer kill and a 50,000 head drop in the cull cow numbers. Heifers increased by 16,000 and young bulls by only 5,000 head.
The IFA National Livestock Committee will meet in Portlaoise today, at which a new Chairman will be elected.
