Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) beef chair Edmund Graham, says there is no logical reason for factories to slash beef quotes to the €3.70/kg mark this week.
Mr Graham said it makes no sense when demand for beef remains high and sterling rates are favourable. He believes factories must be held to account and added: “Many farmers are reporting difficulties booking cattle in for slaughter and those that do get slots are being hammered on price.”
“We are seeing winter finishers bearing the brunt. They are being left to shoulder the full cost of feeding cattle over the winter, which is completely unsustainable and cannot be allowed to continue,” Mr Graham said.
Meanwhile, IFA national livestock chairman Brendan Golden described attempts by beef factories to talk down the trade as unjustified, based on the latest market reports.
LSL News.