Grass shortage and ‘greed’ to blame for cuts

A LACK of grass and the ‘greed of the factories’ have been cited as the two main factors accounting for the slump in cattle prices over recent weeks.
Galway IFA Livestock Chairman, Michael Flynn, said that the price drop in cattle over recent weeks was directly linked to the Summer drought and its impact on grass supplies.
“The lack of grass forced many farmers to sell stock that they would otherwise be keeping. Farmers who would normally be buying in cattle weren’t doing so either because they didn’t have the grass for them – it turned into a vicious cycle,” said Michael Flynn.
He also pointed out that some of the more intensive dairy and cattle farmers had little choice but to sell off cull cows to the factories with a consequent impact on the supply-and-demand balance. However, according to Michael Flynn, ‘the greed of the factories’ was also to the fore in the series of beef price cuts that occurred over recent weeks.
“There have been no indications whatsoever of any drop in demand across the UK or continental markets. Demand is high for beef and the prices are good but the factories saw the chance to exploit the weather and grass situation to cut the prices in Ireland,” said Michael Flynn.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and  county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.