
How supermarket packaging is shaping beef carcass weights
Kepak's retail focus within Ireland and the UK is directly influencing carcass selection as it needs to ensure striploin cuts fit neatly into specific-sized packaging trays.
Kepak commercial director Chris Watson told farmers at a Knowledge Transfer event in Teagasc Grange and Kepak Farm in Meath that his customers 'have required specifications' and 'want a certain-sized animal'.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Agriland
13 hours ago
- Agriland
Tight beef supply situation expected to continue into 2026
The situation of reduced beef supplies is expected to continue into 2026, according to Bord Bia senior manager of meat and livestock, Joe Burke. Speaking at a Kepak event on the farm of suppliers Brian and Noelle O'Keeffe in Glanworth, Co. Cork, on Wednesday, August 13, Burke set out the current state of play in global beef markets. Responding to a question from Agriland on Bord Bia's beef market outlook in the short to medium-term, he said: "We are likely to see that relatively tight supply situation continue on into the year end and on into 2026 as well." He noted that the "very high price point at the moment is very welcome in terms of the level of positivity that it's after injecting into the sector". "It's being felt all the way through from the farmers who are selling reared calves and runners all the way through to weanlings, store and finished animals. It's a great time for the sector." The Bord Bia senior manager said: "In the last month or two, price has really been pushed on as a result of this really tight supply that we're seeing." He said that factors including lower calf registrations and higher cattle exports are attributing to the drop in cattle numbers domestically and also said that the trend of falling cattle numbers is also being seen in the key markets Ireland is exporting beef into. On cattle numbers, he said: "There's no sign of any recovery in terms of supply in the UK or even in the continental markets." He highlighted that recent outbreaks of bluetongue in some European countries have hit the fertility rates of the breeding suckler and dairy cows in the affected countries. "Bluetongue has had an impact. There have been less calf registrations in Europe because it has impacted the fertility of dairy and suckler herds in those countries where that has been an issue." "Seeing those growing alternative options for stock being exported live, whether it be to Northern Ireland or even Europe or North Africa or Europe in recent years that has resulted in a tightening of the available pool of animals coming through, has definitely had a knock-on impact," he noted.


Agriland
5 days ago
- Agriland
Sheep trade: Lambs steady at €8/kg - back €1.70/kg since peak
After slipping by 20c/kg last week, lamb price has held steady this week at €8.00/kg all in. This price is down €1.70/kg since lamb prices peaked in April this year at approximately €9.70/kg. There was a great showing of sheep at the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show on Sunday (August 10) and the event was well attended by sheep farmers from across the country and further afield. The strong store lamb trade, good weather and recent factory lamb price cuts were among the main sheep trade talking points on the day. This week, Kepak is quoting €7.85/kg plus a 15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.00/kg on offer up to 21.5kg carcass-weight again this week. The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €4.70-4.80/kg for cull ewes again this week. Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €7.80/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.00/kg on offer here this week up to 21.5kg. The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €4.50/kg for cull ewes again this week. Kildare Chilling is quoting €7.90/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 21.5kg carcass-weight. For cull ewes, Kildare Chilling is quoting €7.90/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus with carcass weights ranging from 35-43kg. Lighter ewes are being quoted at €4.40/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus. Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €8.00/kg for spring lambs this week and €5.10/kg for cull ewes, the same as last week.


Agriland
07-08-2025
- Agriland
Young sheep farmers visit world's largest fresh-food market
A group of young sheep farmers from across Ireland recently travelled to France to visit what is described as 'the world's largest fresh food market' to find out more about how lamb is traded through the market. The young farmers on the trip are part of the Kepak Young Sheep Farmer Forum, a discussion group formed by Kepak to explore all aspects relevant to the Irish sheep market from farm to fork. Agriland was also in attendance on the trip to meet the young farmers and report on the visit to Rungis International Market.