Beef & Sheep UpdateCattleSheep

Beef & Sheep Update 15th Jan

Cattle and Sheep in field, Wicklow, Ireland

Beef

Brexit has impacted directly on beef farmers since the vote was taken in 2016, primarily through the sterling fluctuation, and this must be addressed in the €1.05bn Brexit Adjustment Reserve announced for Ireland.

Brendan Golden said beef farmers must be first in line for strong and meaningful supports, without pre-conditions. 

Beef Price Update 14th Jan

Strong demand. Prices up. Steer base.

€3.80/3.85kg. Heifers €3.85/3.90kg. Deals higher. Y Bulls €3.60/3.90kg. Cows €3.00/3.50kg.

Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – Week 1 (04/01/2021)

AnimalNumberChangeprev. wk% of totalYTD YTD Change
Y Bulls3,583▲99211%3,583▼-569 
Bull319▲1161%319▼-98 
Steer11,140▲3,43034%11,140▲954
Cow6,212▲2,16419%6,212▲2,000
Heifer11,723▲4,92436%11,723▲2,175
Veal-V6▲50%6▲3
Veal-Z36▼-1 0%36▲12
Total33,019▲11,630100%33,019▲4,477

Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – Week 1 (04/01/2021)

c/kg(Incl. VAT)U3Changeprev. wkR3Changeprev. wkO3Changeprev. wkP+3Changeprev. wk
Steers407▲0396▼-1 381▲0350▲0
Heifers415▼-1 402▲0390▼-1 345▲7
Y Bulls389▲5377▲2363▲0355▲1
Cows0▲0333▼-4 311▲0297▲2

Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB

SteersSteersHeifersHeifersY bullY bullCow
p/kgR3R4LR3R4LR3R4L-O4L
02/01/2021377378.6377.5379.5367.8356250.3
09/01/2021378.7380.9378.5381.2368.8364.8256.4
Change ▲2▲2▲1▲2▲1▲9▲6
Price in c/kg (incl. VAT)449.3451.9449.1452.3437.6432.8304.2

Sheep

Sean Dennehy said demand for lambs is very strong from factories and prices continue to push on.

He said lambs are making €6.35 to €6.50/kg with deals of €6.60/kg available and above in cases as factories actively source lambs to meet market demand. The mart trade is also performing very strongly for all types and is particularly strong outlet for heavier lambs. He said it is important to keep lambs moving as they become fit but sell hard with up to 20c/kg difference in prices offered.

Lamb Price Update 14/01/2021 

QA Lamb €6.35/6.50kg. Ewes €3/3.20kg. Very strong mart trade. Sell when fit. Sell hard. Demand strong.

Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM* – Week 1 (04/01/2021)

AnimalNumberChangeprev. wkYTDYTD Change
Lambs/Hoggets45,964▲45,52015,541▼-25,427 
Spring Lambs0▼-32,435 30,423▲30,423
Ewes and Rams6,390▲2,8346,390▲569
Light Lambs6▲66▲6
TOTAL52,360▲15,92552,360▲5,571
*Figures slightly distorted due to week 53 in 2020

Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – Week 1 (04/01/2021)

c/kg (Incl VAT)2021Changeprev. wk2020Changeprev. yr
Avg Factory Price561.25▲8492.04▲69
Avg Mart Price558.56▲80397.39▲161
National Avg Price561.03▲7463.65▲97
YTD Avg561.03▲41463.65▲97

Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB

R3L Overall SQQ*Type of lamb
02.01.21486.9487Old season
09.01.20517.2518.6Old season
Change▲30▲32
Price in c/kg (incl VAT)613.7615.3

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