Factory prices must reflect market

THE outlook for the cattle and beef sector remains ‘very positive’ but factories must step up to the mark in paying the ‘true market value’ for stock, according to Galway IFA Livestock Rep, Micheál Haverty.

He told the Farming Tribune that while there was a huge market demand for Irish beef there was still a massive discrepancy in prices between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

“There is absolutely no reason over recent weeks why the factories shouldn’t be paying at least another 15c to 20c per kilo for cattle.

“All the market pointers show the demand that is there for Irish beef and farmers should really try and bargain hard with the factories to get a better price than what’s being quoted,” said Micheál Haverty.

He added that with cattle in scarcer supply – the kill for the third week of November was down by 1,200 as compared to last year – the factories were under growing pressure to meet orders.

Marts around the county have also reported an increase in ‘agent activity’ as factories depend more on the marts to fill the gap in supplies coming in the gate to them.

Loughrea Mart reported last week a bigger interest from agents trying to source finished – or almost finished – cattle for the meat plants.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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