The Irish Farmers Association are reporting that Factory Prices have improved this week for Lambs, Ewes and Cattle.
IFA National Sheep Committee Chairman John Lynskey has said the lamb trade is stronger this week with factories paying €4.75 to €4.85 and tops of €4.90 paid.
He said factories are finding it difficult to get the numbers and are having to pay 20c/30c above quoted prices. He said weights have also moved up to 22kgs everywhere.
On ewes, John Lynskey said there is more demand from the factories and prices have moved up with €2.70/kg available.
Increase in live exports
John Lynskey said the live export trade is more active with buyers moving to put together lambs ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha Muslim festival, which starts on September 13th.
In the UK, John Lynskey said lambs have also kicked on in price, with the auction marts paying 186p/kg live weight, which is the equivalent of about €5.00/kg deadweight including VAT.
On numbers John Lynskey said the latest kill figures for 6th August show the weekly kill back at 44,734 compared to 52,968 for the same week in 2015. However the overall kill is running 2.0% ahead of 2015 levels, according to Department figures.
The IFA Sheep Chairman said the Department of Agriculture released details of the 2015 National Sheep Census last week and the key message is that the ewe flock has stabilised and risen slightly by 82,627, and now stands at 2,503,011 ewes.
Tighter cattle supplies lead to rises
IFA National Livestock Committee Chairman Angus Woods said tighter cattle supplies this week have seen more farmers negotiate 5c/kg above the quoted prices.
He said factories are finding it much more difficult to get adequate numbers of stock and many are paying a base of €3.85 for steers and €3.95 base for heifers. He said the trade is also being helped by very good grass growth and good thrive. He added that the better demand is also being reflected in the mart with more factory buyers around the ring for finished cattle.
Angus Woods said farmers needed to dig in hard on the price and demand more than the quotes. He said the reality is cattle numbers in the factory lairages are very scarce and agents and procurement managers are very anxious for stock. He said, “Agents have been told not to leave stock behind them.”
Angus Woods said cattle prices in our main export market in the UK continue to rise, up another 1p/kg last week. He said UK prices are now up 26p/kg since the end of April. He pointed out that UK cattle prices are up 13p/kg since the Brexit decision in late June. As of July 30th, the UK R3 steer price was €3.46/kg, which is equivalent to €4.30/kg.
On numbers, Angus Woods said the weekly kill was at 30,586, with the total kill running 26,203 ahead of last year’s levels.
Angus Woods said factories are also stronger for cows this week with more outlets paying €2.90/3.10 for P and O grade cows. Better cows are making €3.20/3.30.