It’s been a bit of a lackluster year for trade so far in markets across the country compared to the prices farmers were getting for their cattle in 2025.
Agriland was in Co. Wicklow To hear from farmers about the factors they believe are influencing trade at the public livestock sale at Blessington Mart yesterday (June 18).
One farmer, who was at the market hoping to buy some livestock, explained to us that buying stock was a different experience than selling in the current market.
“There is some money in stock cattle the moment you sell them, not when you buy them,” he said.
When asked how the trade compared to last year, the farmer did not mince his words.
“Trade is desperate; and anyone who bought cattle there last October is losing a fortune.”
He also claimed that factories may recover their margins after paying high prices in last year’s sales.
“Factories may have paid a lot of money this time last year, but they are making their money back, full steam ahead.”
Another farmer agrees that cattle prices have definitely come down.
“Cattle at this time last year, you were getting 7 or 8 euros per kilogram, and now you are lucky to get 6 euros per kilogram.”
One market leader also described the current cattle in a similar light, noting that they were “not great” and “can’t compare” compared to prices seen last year.
When asked what they thought was driving the trade, many farmers said Agriland They believe this is due to the “oversupply” of livestock this year.
Trade Mart
However, not everyone present was so pessimistic.
One cattle and sheep farmer said the business was “good” in his eyes.
While acknowledging that current trade may favor sellers over buyers, the farmer believes that “money has to go in circles” when it comes to markets.
One farmer felt that beef prices were linked to global production levels.
“It comes down to supply and demand in the world; there are droughts happening all over the world, like America and Australia.
“You’re taking sheep as well, and far fewer people are raising sheep in the world, in Australia and that’s because of the drought.”
Bord Bia
Bettors around the ring were also talking about the recent management review of Bord Bia’s board of directors which endorsed president Larry Morin.
The council review was commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and was part of the agreement that ended weeks of protests organized by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) at its Bord Bia headquarters earlier this year.
One of the market leaders said Agriland He did not disagree with the review ruling.
“The cod (initially) was absolute,” the farmer said of the Bord Bia butchery.
“I wouldn’t have gone through the entire protest; what difference would it make?”
“Why bite the hand that feeds you? The price of our beef has fallen since then,” he added.
weather
While the recent weather frustrated some farmers, others said conditions were under control.
One farmer commented: “The weather is not too bad, all the silage has been made and we are now waiting for the second cut.”
One organic farmer, who operates a three-cut red clover silage system, described the season so far as a mixed bag.
“There was little growth at first, then we were low on moisture, so there was no growth, and then it went back to being wet and cold.”
He said Agriland He chose to make first-rate silage during the dry period around the end of May.
“There wasn’t a perfect pile, but in my opinion it’s always the right decision to take the first piece early and in fairness it grows back nicely,” the organic farmer added.
