Breifne O'Brien

Cavan

Technical Beef Specialist at AgriLand

Technical Beef Specialist at Agriland [email protected]

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Articles

ICBF AGM views data on causes of falling carcass weights

1 day ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s (ICBF’s) annual general meeting (AGM) took place on Thursday, May 8, in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The event was attended by the ICBF board of directors, which includes representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM), farm lobby groups, artificial insemination (AI) companies, and cattle breed societies.
ABP Demo Farm: Silage, calf weaning and cattle weights

2 days ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

ABP Demo farm manager Sean Maher has outlined the latest progress on the Co. Carlow-based calf-to-beef demonstration farm, along with what has been happening recently on site. In the latest update from the farm on Friday (May 9, 2025), the farm manager said: “Spring 2025 has been very kind. “Grass growth has been steady whilst not setting the world alight.
Sale of 2 cull ewes covers cost of Spanish anniversary trip for Wexford farmer

3 days ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

A Co. Wexford sheep farmer believes he may have struck a historic first after the sale of two cull ewes covered the all in price of a trip to Spain for him and his wife to celebrate their wedding anniversary. “In the history of sheep farming, I don’t think it was ever done,” Co. Wexford sheep farmer Gus Connick told Agriland. Connick sold the two cull ewes at Tullow Mart, Co. Carlow for €620 and the result got him thinking about planning a special trip for his anniversary.
Sheep trade: Cull ewe trade the highlight as hoggets cut

3 days ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

This week’s sheep trade sees cull ewe prices remain firm while hogget prices has been cut and spring lamb prices has also been cut at one outlet but held at other outlets. With the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha approaching on Friday, June 6, which is just over three weeks away, there had been some hope that hogget and lamb prices would see a rise this week as the festival traditionally sees a spike in lamb demand.
Factory quotes hold as supply drops and mart prices rising

3 days ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

This week’s factory quotes for beef cattle have seen the opening price offers start at similar levels to last week, despite supplies of factory-fit cattle dropping off and prices paid for forward store cattle at marts on the rise. Mart managers are unanimous in admitting prices paid for store and beef cattle are increasing at mart sales over recent days, with up to €3,510 or €4.68/kg paid for a 750kg Charolais bullock at Carnaross Mart, Co. Meath today (Monday, May 12).
Cattle exports near 200,000 in first 4 months of 2025

3 days ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

Latest figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show cattle exports have reached near 200,000 in the first four months of 2025. As of Sunday, April 27, over 193,000 (193,383) cattle were exported from Ireland this year and, with over 14,000 calves exported in week 15 of this year, it can be assumed that total cattle exports were closer to the 200,000 head mark by Wednesday, April 30.
Beef Kill: Weekly cattle supply falls below 32,500 head

4 days ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

The first four months of the year have seen a general trend of strong weekly beef kill numbers with supplies generally running above the corresponding weeks of the previous year. Strong factory prices have likely attributed to this, with more farmers pushing cattle on to finish at an earlier date and the rise in kill numbers coming predominantly from heifers and steers. A projection from Bord Bia in January 2025 forecast 87,000 fewer cattle to be available for slaughter this year.
Table: Latest factory beef sale prices show over 19% rise

4 days ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

The Agri-Food Regulator has shared the latest available average price data on factory beef sale prices, with a monthly increase of over 19% in the sale price of beef minced meat (5% fat). The pricing information is broken down into three main categories: beef forequarter; beef hindquarter; and beef minced meat 5% fat. Interestingly, the lowest monthly percentage price increase was seen in the beef hindquarter category with a 9.1% rise.
Angus bull calves see average price cross a record €400

5 days ago | agriland.ie | Breifne O'Brien

The average price paid for Angus bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age at marts in the week ending Sunday, May 4, reached a record €402, according to the latest Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s (ICBF’s) calf price statistics. Hereford bull calves from 3-6 weeks-of-age averaged €423/head, with Charolais and Belgian Blue-sired bull calves of the same spec averaging €493 and €514/calf respectively.
Irish and UK reps win titles at World Angus Competition in Oz

5 days ago | agriland.co.uk | Breifne O'Brien

The Irish and UK team of Aberdeen Angus breed enthusiasts competing in the youth competition of the World Angus Forum have been awarded third place in the prestigious global event. Team captain, James Morrison from Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, was also awarded the ‘Spirit of Angus’ award as best overall competitor at the global youth competition for Aberdeen Angus cattle breed enthusiasts.