Beef Update
Commenting on the Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme announced by the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said the scheme is a step in the right direction. However, it must be built on to adequately support farmers making long-term investments in rearing beef calves from the dairy herd. The scheme for 2025 will pay farmers rearing these calves €20/calf to a maximum of 50 calves and is a start in addressing the huge mistake made by Government in not providing a scheme of this nature in the CAP strategic plans. The challenges in retaining farmers in this production system are well documented. If we are to have a long-term sustainable approach to rearing dairy beef calves the level of direct support available to farmers must be built on to bring the payment to €100/calf reared,” he said. The IFA Livestock Chair said other improvements to this scheme for future years must include the removal of the maximum number of eligible calves and serious consideration must be given to including CBV as an eligibility criterion for calves in the scheme. “The scheme announced by the Minister is just for 2025. He must show his long-term commitment by setting out clearly and in advance of the peak breeding season on dairy farms the supports and the criteria that will be attached for future years,” he said.
Beef Price Update 27/03/2025
Base Steer €7.30/7.50kg. Heifers €7.40/7.60kg. Flat prices up to €8.00kg. Higher deals and flat prices for larger and specialist lots. Y Bulls R/U €7.20/7.40Kg. Cows €6.60/7.30kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 12 (23.03.2025)
| Animal | Number | Change prev wk | % of total | YTD | YTD Change |
| Y Bulls | 1,662 | ▼-412 | 5% | 33,007 | ▲397 |
| Bull | 599 | ▼-81 | 2% | 5,113 | ▲75 |
| Steer | 11,582 | ▼-2,632 | 35% | 151,143 | ▲4,371 |
| Cow | 7,019 | ▼-1,585 | 21% | 99,102 | ▼-8,040 |
| Heifer | 10,407 | ▼-1,302 | 31% | 140,980 | ▲14,247 |
| Veal-V | 289 | ▲59 | 1% | 1,822 | ▼-9,896 |
| Veal-Z | 32 | ▲8 | 0% | 1,048 | ▲359 |
| Total | 33,106 | ▼-4,429 | 100% | 432,215 | ▲3,665 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 12 (23.03.2025)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | U3 | Change prev wk | R3 | Change prev wk | O3 | Change prev wk | P+3 | Change prev wk |
| Steers | 755 | ▲25 | 748 | ▲18 | 742 | ▲18 | 712 | ▲36 |
| Heifers | 759 | ▲18 | 752 | ▲22 | 747 | ▲22 | 704 | ▲21 |
| Y Bulls | 742 | ▲17 | 733 | ▲18 | 723 | ▲24 | 719 | ▲36 |
| Cows | 0 | ▲0 | 699 | ▲23 | 662 | ▲16 | 651 | ▲22 |
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 |
| 15/03/2025 | 673.2 | 674.8 | 671.6 | 674.9 | 659.6 | 656.6 | 514.8 |
| 22/03/2025 | 683.0 | 686.0 | 682.5 | 684.5 | 668.1 | 664.2 | 523.9 |
| Change | ▲10 | ▲11 | ▲4 | ▲10 | ▲9 | ▲8 | ▲9 |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 858.6 | 862.4 | 858.0 | 860.5 | 839.9 | 835.0 | 658.6 |
Euro Price for the Most Recent Week (€/KG Deadweight excl. VAT)
| Country & Type | 31.12.2022 | 30.12.2023 | 04.01.2025 |
| EU + Y Bulls | € 5.21 | € 4.97 | € 5.61 |
| IE + Steers | € 5.00 | € 5.03 | € 5.64 |
| UK + Steers | € 5.12 | € 5.64 | € 6.65 |
Live Cattle Exports 10th March
Sheep Update
IFA Sheep Chairman Arian Gallagher said hogget prices have rebounded as prices rise by up to 20c/kg this week. He said hogget throughput is extremely tight and is running almost 126,000 head behind the same period in 2024 highlighting the tightening of supplies in the market. Demand is expected to increase further in the coming weeks as factories fill orders in lead up to the Easter festival for next month. He said factories are offering prices from €8.90kg to €9.20kg with higher deals for groups and larger lots. Cull ewes remain steady with prices ranging from €4.90kg to €5.20kg in general. The mart trade has also improved where prices are comparable to and above what factories are offering in cases he said. The IFA Sheep Chairman said farmers should shop around, consider the mart outlet and sell hard as supplies of hoggets remain tight.
Lamb Price Update 27/03/2025
Hoggets €8.90kg/9.20kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes €4.90/5.20/kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 12 (23.03.2025)
| Animal | Figure | Change | YTD | YTD Change |
| Lambs/Hoggets | 34,706 | ▼-5,401 | 422,770 | ▼-125,567 |
| Spring Lambs | 51 | ▲51 | 17,329 | ▲8,295 |
| Ewes and Rams | 2,359 | ▼-1,081 | 39,719 | ▼-21,557 |
| Light Lambs | 1 | ▼-8 | 42 | ▲5 |
| TOTAL | 37,117 | ▼-6,439 | 479,860 | ▼-138,824 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 12 (23.03.2025)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | This week | Change prev. wk | 2024 | Change prev. yr |
| National Avg Price | 847.17 | ▼-11 | 844.57 | ▲3 |
| YTD Avg | 874.72 | ▼-3 | 722.53 | ▲152 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| R3L | Overall SQQ* | Type of lamb | |
| 15/03/2025 | 745.1 | 738.7 | New season Lamb |
| 22/03/2025 | 737.4 | 730.5 | New season Lamb |
| Change | ▼-8 | ▼-8 | |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 905.5 | 897.0 | 1 |
Live Sheep Exports 2024
