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 Exports W/C 13.05.2024
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
