Beef prices have increased 5 to 10c/kg in the past week as demand continues to exceed supply. IFA Livestock chairman Brendan Golden said farmers should shop around – beef prices quoted and paid can differ by up to 20c/kg for all types of cattle. Demand is likely to continue in the key UK and EU markets into the summer months.
Beef price update
Steer base EUR 5.05/5.25kg. Heifers EUR 5.10/5.30kg. Higher deals and flat prices for larger and specialist lots. Y Bulls R/U EUR 5.20/5.50Kg. Cows EUR 4.50/5.10kg
Meanwhile, hogget prices have remained steady at around EUR 7.50/kg as demand from factories for spring lamb grows. Numbers for the latter are running 19 000 behind last year’s levels so far – and 8 400 behind for the past week compared to 2021.
IFA Sheep Committee chairman Kevin Comiskey said deals on weights to 21kg for lambs are common place with prices achieved of EUR 8.40 to EUR 8.50/kg. What’s more, factories are paying more for larger lots of lambs. Cull ewes remain in strong demand and are making up to EUR 4.50/kg.
Comiskey said the mart trade is a viable alternative for sheep farmers with factory agents paying more than what they are offering on factory quotes to some farmers.
Lamb price update
Hogget EUR 7.30/7.50/kg. Spr lamb EUR 8.20/8.40/kg. Weights 20.5/21kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes EUR 3.80/4.20/kg.