Martin Coughlan

Writer at Irish Independent

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Articles

More cuts to factory quotes but mart prices hold steady

1 week ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

More cuts to factory quotes but mart prices hold steadyFactory prices have been cut again. Photo: Gerry FaughnanFirst the good news: Dawn Ballyhaunis and Kildare Chilling return to our price table. Now for the bad news: the ICM group again cut prices. Their quote for lamb is back 20c/kg to €8.50+20c/kg quality assurance, with cull ewes down 25c/kg €4.50/kg. Hogget is unchanged at €7.00+20c/kg QA.
Quotes cut again - but gap to Britain and North is closing

1 week ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

Quotes cut again – but gap to Britain and North is closingFactoriesA suckler herd grazing. Photo: Roger JonesProcessors last week cut another 5-10c/kg off bullocks and heifer quotes, leaving them on bases of €7.20/kg and €7.30/kg respectively. However, agents reported that regular suppliers were being “looked after” – those favoured ended the week on base prices of €7.30/kg for bullocks, with heifers on €7.40/kg.
Serious competition for lighter stock as fears rise of looming heavy store shortage

1 week ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

Serious competition for lighter stock as fears rise of looming heavy store shortage'Seasoned observers reckon there is a fear among farmers that there will be a shortage of heavier stores next year – at any price – with the shipping trade hoovering up huge numbers of calves, weanlings and stores'. Photo: Roger JonesWith factory prices falling, small numbers in most areas and quality harder to come by, there were further reductions across the board in mart prices last week.
How the booming shipping trade could threaten the future of Irish beef

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

How the booming shipping trade could threaten the future of Irish beefFears rise that numbers won’t be there to finish next year and beyond‘Demand for all types of calves and lighter stock has been almost insatiable’ Photo: Roger JonesAfter years of praying for a strong live export trade, farmers are now discovering that shipping can be a double-edged sword for them. On one hand it has eliminated the fear that the country would be over-run with unsellable dairy calves.
Price pulls ‘taking the heart out of men to stay at sheep’

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

Price pulls ‘taking the heart out of men to stay at sheep’Factories slash quotes again‘He said mart prices had fallen in line with recent factory pulls’. Photo: Roger JonesYesterday’s decision by the ICM group to reduce quotes poured more pain onto sheep farmers. The ICM group are at least prepared to quote in a falling market. The other major processors – Dawn Ballyhaunis, Kepak Athleague and Kildare Chilling – again failed to offer any guidance on pricing.
Farm orgs hit out as another 10c/kg shaved off beef price

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

Farm orgs hit out as another 10c/kg shaved off beef priceFactoriesICMSA livestock chair Michael O’Connell said farmers will feel frustrated and disrespected by the “sneaky” cut in quotes late last week. Some factories dropped their quotes by another 10c/kg to €7.30/kg and €7.40/kg respectively towards the end of last week. These reductions have been accompanied by a myriad of other measures, such as buying cattle from further away and then telling local suppliers “we’re full for the week”.
Processors blame 10c/kg beef price cut on falling demand

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

This reverses the gains made over the last month; the processors claim that the market can no longer support that level, with a fall in supermarket demand. Key to this downturn is what is happening in the UK, and the fact Irish beef prices are now far above the EU average. Across the water, pressure is being applied by consumer resistance to increased retail prices, and rising numbers of short-keep stock, including young bulls.
What falling store numbers could mean for prices in the autumn and beyond

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

What falling store numbers could mean for prices in the autumn and beyondMarts‘What continental, Hereford and Angus stores that were available from 400-600kg last week outperformed their lighter and heavier comrades’. Photo: Roger JonesStore numbers are tight in a lot of areas. Overall mart numbers continue to fall in many sales yards, with others only bolstered by increased supplies of forward and beef types.
Latest round of lamb price cuts slammed as ‘highly irresponsible’

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

Latest round of lamb price cuts slammed as ‘highly irresponsible’Spring lamb and hogget back 20c/kg, with cull ewes down 50c/kg‘Factories can and must do more in the marketplace to maintain sustainable prices for sheep farmers and reverse these price cuts,’ said IFA sheep char Adrian Gallagher. Photo: Roger JonesTwo themes have emerged on the processor side of the sheep business over the last month: weekly price cuts, and the failure of the Dawn group and Kildare Chilling to provide any quotes.
‘Crippling blow’ for sheep farmers as hogget and cull quotes slashed

1 month ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

‘Crippling blow’ for sheep farmers as hogget and cull quotes slashedSheepHogget quotes are back 50c/kg in a fortnight. Photo: Gerry FaughnanThe pressure on sheep farmers continued yesterday with quotes for hoggets cut by another 30c/kg and cull ewes back 50c/kg. This latest blow leaves hogget well below the price of beef – at a base of €7.50/kg compared to €7.80/kg. Something never before seen.