Beef Update
IFA National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said that supplies remain very tight this week, especially for finished animals.
The continued tightening of supplies is driving the beef trade with prices of €5.15/5.25kg being available for steers and heifers making €5.20/5.30kg.
“Cow prices have also strengthened again this week to €4.30/5.00kg and R/U grading young bulls making €5.10/5.40Kg” he said. The IFA Livestock Chair said that “Factory agents are actively buying in the marts and the mart trade remains a strong option for many farmers.
Beef Price Update 19/01/2023
Base Quotes Steer €5.15/5.25kg. Heifers €5.20/5.30kg. Higher deals and flat prices for larger and specialist lots. Y Bulls R/U €5.10/5.40Kg. Cows €4.30/5.00kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 02 (15.01.2023)
| Animal | Number | Change prev wk | % of total | YTD | YTD Change |
| Y Bulls | 3816 | ▲237 | 11% | 7395 | ▲410 |
| Bull | 336 | ▲114 | 1% | 558 | ▲33 |
| Steer | 11109 | ▲1,296 | 33% | 20922 | ▲195 |
| Cow | 7899 | ▲2,264 | 23% | 13534 | ▲2,413 |
| Heifer | 10512 | ▲660 | 31% | 20364 | ▲559 |
| Veal-V | 26 | ▲25 | 0% | 27 | ▼-1 |
| Veal-Z | 62 | ▲32 | 0% | 92 | ▲38 |
| Total | 33760 | ▲4,628 | 100% | 62892 | ▲3,647 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 02 (15.01.2023)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | U3 | Changeprev wk | R3 | Change prev wk | O3 | Change prev wk | P+3 | Change prev wk |
| Steers | 543 | ▲5 | 533 | ▲3 | 526 | ▲6 | 493 | ▲4 |
| Heifers | 553 | ▲3 | 540 | ▲4 | 534 | ▲5 | 491 | ▲8 |
| Y Bulls | 532 | ▲8 | 523 | ▲7 | 507 | ▲5 | 500 | ▲4 |
| Cows | 0 | ▲0 | 486 | ▲5 | 457 | ▲7 | 439 | ▲6 |
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 |
| 07/01/2023 | 456.3 | 458.7 | 454.7 | 456.3 | 446.5 | 437.5 | 366.4 |
| 14/01/2023 | 458.0 | 461.6 | 451.3 | 458.5 | 460.3 | 450.0 | 450.3 |
| Change | ▲2 | ▲3 | ▲4 | ▲4 | ▲4 | ▲7 | ▲8 |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 549.6 | 553.9 | 550.2 | 552.4 | 540.4 | 533.5 | 449.6 |
Euro Price for the Most Recent Week (€/KG Deadweight excl. VAT)
| Country & Type | 01/01/2022 | 2021 | 12/01/1900 |
| EU + Y Bulls | € 3.59 | Figures | € 5.06 |
| IE + Steers | € 3.74 | Not | € 4.83 |
| UK + Steers | € 4.08 | Available | € 5.18 |
Sheep Update
IFA Sheep Chairman Kevin Comiskey reminded farmers that IFA will hold a public meeting for sheep farmers in Athlone on Mon, Jan 23rd.
It takes place at a critical time for the sheep sector, with falling prices and rising costs placing huge pressure on farmers.
Teagasc has forecasted margins from sheep production to decline further this year with current prices insufficient to cover the increased costs of production. The outlook for 2023 forecasts feed prices to increase by a further 10%, with no weakening of fertilizer prices which have increased 195% on 2021 levels. Other direct costs are forecasted to increase by 4% in 2023.
The meeting in Radisson Blu, Athlone at 8pm will hear presentations from Teagasc on the costs of production; Bord Bia will give an update on the market outlook for lamb, with the processor perspective from Irish Country Meats.
Lamb Price Update 19/01/2023
Lamb €5.90/6.30/kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes €3.10/3.50/kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 02 (15.01.2023)
| Animal | Figure | Change | YTD | YTD Change |
| Lambs/Hoggets | 51586 | ▲5,294 | 97878 | ▲10,895 |
| Spring Lambs | 0 | ▲0 | 0 | ▲0 |
| Ewes and Rams | 7812 | ▲2,347 | 13277 | ▲3,407 |
| Light Lambs | 4 | ▲1 | 7 | ▲0 |
| TOTAL | 59402 | ▲7,642 | 111162 | ▲14,302 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 02 (15.01.2023)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | WK 02 | Change prev wk | 2022 | Change prev yr |
| National Avg Price | 625.86 | ▼-26 | 693.45 | ▼-68 |
| YTD Avg | 638.88 | ▼-13 | 698.14 | ▼-59 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| R3L | Overall SQQ* | Type of lamb | |
| 07/01/2023 | 539.4 | 534.9 | Old season lamb |
| 14/01/2023 | 525.2 | 525.2 | Old season lamb |
| Change | ▼-14 | ▼-10 | |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 630.2 | 623.2 |
Live Sheep Exports 14/10/2022
