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Beef & Sheep Update 24th May

Sheep and Cattle in Wicklow

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)

AnimalNumberChange prev wk% of totalYTDYTD Change
Y Bulls2,456▲6088%47,619▼-2,779 
Bull669▲342%9,950▼-292 
Steer12,192▲27438%244,791▲5,142
Cow6,956▼-186 22%167,848▲18,967
Heifer8,959▲11428%202,347▲9,413
Veal-V622▲3102%18,512▼-11,868 
Veal-Z40▼-3 0%,985▲113
Total31,894▲1,151100%692,052▲3,665

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

c/kg (Incl. VAT)U3Change prev wkR3Change prev wkO3Change prev wkP+3Change prev wk
Steers549▼-6 540▼-7 532▼-4 498▼-4 
Heifers562▼-1 547▼-4 537▼-3 488▼-1 
Y Bulls543▼-6 529▼-3 511▼-2 501▲5
Cows0▲0488▲1443▼-2 426▼-1 

Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB

 SteersSteersHeifersHeifersY bullY bullCow
p/kgR3R4LR3R4LR3R4L-O4L
11/05/2024492.2495.9491.6495.8481.9484.6386.5
18/05/2024491.5494.5489.7493.6479.3478.8386.7
Change▼-1 ▼-1 ▼-2 ▼-2 ▼-3 ▼-6 ▲0
Price in c/kg (Incl VAT)603.5607.2601.3606.1588.5587.9474.8

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

Country & Type30.04.202229.04.202304.05.2024
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 Exports W/C 13.05.2024

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)

AnimalFigureChangeYTDYTD Change
Lambs/Hoggets23,015▼-2,411 81,8302▼-83,204 
Spring Lambs13,533▲1,86649,282▼-15,869 
Ewes and Rams4,176▲1793,108▼-12,126 
Light Lambs6▲071▼-32 
TOTAL40,730▼-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. wk2023Change prev. yr
National Avg Price861.14▲11675.73▲167
YTD Avg733.19▲6624.81▲133

Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB

 R3L Overall SQQ*Type of lamb
11/05/2024834.1822.9Old season lamb
18/05/2024842.6827.5Old season lamb
Change▲9▲5 
Price in c/kg (Incl VAT)1034.61016.11

Live Sheep Exports March 31st 2024

Source: Bord Bia

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