Latest news with #Agriland
Agriland
4 hours ago
- Business
- Agriland
Global markets now ‘short of beef'
Lanark based-Simmental cattle breeder and former auctioneer, David Lowry, is of the view that beef markets will start to strengthen during the period ahead. Lowry, who judged the cattle classes at this year's Omagh Show, told Agriland: 'We may not get back up to £7/kg but the reality is that the UK and the rest of the world is short of beef at the present time. The Scottish breeder noted that consumers have already shown that they are prepared to pay realistic prices for beef, provided the quality of the meat is is good. He said: 'There has been a haemorrhaging of suckler cow numbers over recent years. This is because farmers were not getting prices for stock that covered their costs. 'And, as a consequence, they either cut cow numbers or got out of sucklers altogether. Thankfully, circumstances are changing, which can allow farmers to look again at suckler production with a degree of confidence.' Lowry is very aware of the growing focus that has been placed on beef from the dairy herd. 'But quality beef will still be required from the suckler sector. And the need to maintain cow numbers in this context is obvious,' Lowry added Irrespective of what happens in the future, Lowry feels that the days of beef farmers receiving rock-bottom prices for their cattle are over. He said: 'Consumers realise the costs required at farm level in making quality beef available. And this factor alone should help to bolster UK markets during the period ahead.' Food inflation Lowry was speaking against the backdrop of food inflation figures starting to notably strengthen once again. According to the UK's Office of National Statistics, the 12-month inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages was 4.5% in June 2025. This was the third consecutive increase in the rate. It is the highest recorded since February 2024, but is well below the peak seen in early 2023. There were small upward effects to the change in the rate from three of the eleven food and non-alcoholic beverages classes: namely bread and cereals (particularly cakes), meat, and milk, cheese and eggs (mainly cheddar cheese). These were partially offset by small downward effects from the sugar, jam, syrups, chocolate and confectionery class (from chocolate products), and mineral waters, soft drinks and juices (from fruit juice). The official figures also confirm that the UK's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.6% in the 12 months to June 2025, up from 3.4% in the 12 months to May. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.3% in June 2025, compared with a rise of 0.1% in June 2024.
Agriland
29-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Dairy Focus: Converting to milking to support the next generation
After being 20 years away from dairy farming, Co. Kilkenny dairy farmer, Sean Meehan has made the plunge back to milking cows in order to have something for the next generation. He told Agriland :'I wanted a future for some of the lads and there is no future in sucklers'. Meehan is now in his fourth year of milking after spending the previous 20 years at suckler cows and an off-farm business. As well as having a love for dairy cows, Meehan wanted to go back milking to have a strong farm business that he can pass down to his sons. The only way that Meehan saw this as possibility was milking cows through two robots, which would alleviate a lot of labour and pressure on the farmer. The shed for the cows to access the two robots Sean with the two GEA robots on the farm Meehan is now milking 101 British Friesian and Fleckvieh cows, and hopes to keep his herd number between 100-120 while keeping within nitrates regulations. Speaking about the two robots on the farm, Meehan said: 'You've still work to do, but it's flexible. You don't have to be up at 7:00 in the morning, every morning, and if you want to do other work, you've time'. Dairy herd performance The cows are currently milking on average about 2.4 milkings each day and producing about 29.87kg of milk/day, which equates to 570kg of milk solids/cow year off 8,043L/cow/year. The grazing block is 38ha and is split into an ABC grazing system where cows spend on average about eight hours/day in each block. They go from each block by passing through the robot milking area and getting milked if necessary. To get the ball rolling, Meehan bought 85 heifers in the first year and then climbed his numbers up to 118 the following year. This number proved to be too many the following year for nitrates compliancy, but now – with additional land rented – he hopes to get back up to those numbers. Meehan went with Fleckvieh heifers and Holstein Friesian cows to get a balance in milk production and calf value. He said that in terms of milk, 'There is a much of a muchness between the two. 'From a calf sale point of view, the Fleckvieh is much better.' The herd of cows grazing on the A morning block A closer look at the herd This year due to a lack of bull variety in the Fleckvieh range, Meehan has bought a mixture of Fleckvieh, Montbeliarde, and Friesian straws. He included Montbeliarde in the mix due to their ability to milk and add calf value to the farm, and he felt there was a good range of bulls available through Bó Sires. Meehan uses all artificial insemination (AI) throughout his 12-week breeding season, which commences around the middle of April. He said: 'Friesian cows will get conventional Fleckvieh or Montbeliarde straws and the Fleckvieh will get Friesian sexed semen. 'With the Fleckvieh or Montbeliarde, you don't mind if it's a bull or a heifer.' The reason for this was that, according to Meehan, 'the best cows in the herd are probably the crossbreds' and so he wants to continue crossing to achieve that hybrid vigour. He aims to keep 25 replacement heifer calves each year. Meehan's replacement calves grazing ahead of the cows The next generation of milkers on Meehan's farm The use of the GEA CowScout collars has been a 'revelation' for Meehan for detecting health issues, feed intake, and heat activity, as he believes his conception rates have improved due to getting the timing of AI 100%. In choosing the type of bull to mate to his cows, Meehan said that he is always looking for good milk solids, with good feet and good health traits. For the rest of the breeding season, Meehan is using Aberdeen Angus straws due to their short gestation. He has also used a few Limousin straws on cows not suitable for breeding off at the start of breeding. Meehan aims to start calving around the middle of January and to be finished before April, but highlighted that he is not overly pushed on a tight six-week calving rate. The key to the robots is having a good grazing infrastructure All roadways are in good order with multiple access points to paddocks If there is a few late calvers, it does not bother him, as he milks about 40 cows throughout Christmas, which is easily done with robots but is still achieving a 380-day calving interval. Despite the few cows milking through the Christmas period, he will give every cow at least an eight week dry-off period, and will keep winter milkers on a high quality silage and meal. The ease of robots Meehan is milking through two GEA DairyRobot R9500s, which has taken the pressure off labour and enabled him to be more efficient in managing his spring calving herd. As well as improving the lifestyle on the farm, Meehan chose automatic milking as it made sense with the existing shed, which lent itself to a conversion complemented by an additional building to house the robots. The reason Meehan went with the GEA robots was he was impressed with the fact that 'you can get down into the pit with the cows and you can manage and stay with heifers when training them'. A closer look at the GEA robot The race and access gates coming from the robots Another deciding factor was the layout of the robots. He wanted a layout that was simple, as the cows go out a single race when finished milking. He said that these little details were the deciding factor after he looked at all types of robots over three years. The cows are free to enter the robot at any time, but only animals meeting time or yield-based criteria are then milked and fed. Meehan told Agriland : 'The whole secret to yield and the robots is good grassland management.' He highlighted that through his ABC grazing system, 'you get great clean outs'. The type of residuals being achieved on the farm There are multiple access points to both paddocks and water troughs Meehan said that the cows have three different grass allocations with fresh grass in each, which he feels boosts performance through higher grass intakes and that 'the cows get used to grazing out paddocks fully'. Meehan fed the cows about 1.5t of meal/cow last year and made the rest of the diet up with quality grass. He insisted that 'the robots improve your grassland management', as keeping fresh grass in front of cows is what entices the herd to go in for milking.
Agriland
17-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Mart trade: Record calf prices continue as heavier cattle ease
The mart trade over the past few days has seen record calf prices continue as heavier forward-type cattle prices have eased at some mart sales as a result of recent declines in factory beef price offers. At GVM Carrigallen Mart, Co. Leitrim on Saturday, June 14, calves made up to €1,050 for a Shorthorn heifer calf off a Friesian cow with a registered birth date of May 12, 2025. May-born Friesian bull calves made up to €700 and speaking to Agriland after the sale, Carrigallen Mart manager Helen Kells said there was strong activity from both farmers and export customers for calves at the most recent sale, with exporters managing to secure the majority of these calves. This Shorthorn-cross heifer calf made €1,050 In Balla Mart, Co. Mayo on Saturday, June 14, 400-500kg heifers 'were showing the knock-on effect of the factory cuts' with average prices below the €4/kg, according to mart manager Michael Nolan. Average bullock prices remained strong with 300-400kg bullocks averaging €4.23/kg. Store bullocks weighing from 400-500kg averaged €4.29/kg while heavier bullocks weighing over 500kg averaged €4.19/kg. One of the top prices in the bullock sale went to a Charolais bullock weighing 925kg that made €3,930 or €4.25/kg for a farmer from Cloonmore – Tuam. Some of the top bullock prices from the weekend sale at Balla Mart: 360kg Charolais bullock sold for €1,940 or €5.39/kg; 490kg Charolais bullock sold for €2,580 or €5.27/kg; 670kg Charolais bullock sold for €3,290 or €4.25/kg; 795kg Simmental bullock sold for €3,300 or €4.15/kg; 895kg Charolais bullock sold for €3,730 or €4.17/kg. While the average price for 400-500kg store heifers dropped below €4/kg, lighter store heifers weighing from 300-400kg averaged €4.26/kg. Heifers weighing from 400-500kg averaged €3.92/kg, while heavy heifers weighing over 500kg averaged €3.86/kg. A 330kg Belgian Blue-cross breeding heifer sold for an impressive €4,150 or €12.58/kg. The cows were described as 'a good trade with a surprising amount of dry cows still coming out', and cows weighing over 500kg averaging €3.59/kg. An eight-year-old Charolais cow with a bull calf at foot sold for €3,720. Commenting on the weanling trade, the mart manager said: 'There are great numbers of weanlings coming out – way more than normal for this time of year – and this week they were slightly up due the demand from export buyers.' The best price was paid for a 485kg March-2024-born Belgian Blue bull that made €3,600 or €7.52/kg. Another March 2024 weanling bull weighing 335kg sold for €9.13/kg or €3,060. Bull weanlings 200–350kg averaged 5.59/kg and bulls from 350-450kg averaged €5.08/kg with bulls weighing over 450kg averaging €5.10/kg.
Agriland
16-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Factory quotes: Beef prices cut for third consecutive week
This week's factory quotes for beef cattle sees prices cut for the third consecutive week, with a further 10c/kg taken off price offers. Weekly kill numbers are low – remaining below 30,000 head – with this decline being caused by a reduced cow kill as heifer and steer (bullock) supplies remain firm for the time of year. Factory sources have informed Agriland that there is a push to get base prices back towards €7.00/kg, but farm lobby groups have hit out at the move by factories to reduce prices. UK beef prices have also been in decline in recent weeks with the average deadweight 'U3' steer price, excluding premiums, at £6.59/kg in the week ending Saturday, June 7. This price was down from £6.69/kg the previous week, according to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC). Factory quotes: Heifers and steers This week, most outlets are quoting €7.20/kg for steers and €7.30/kg on the grid for heifers. While these are the official quotes for this week, most outlets that had cattle pre-booked are paying €7.30/kg and 7.40/kg on the grid for these steers and heifers respectively. Despite this, procurement staff have said the reduced price rates will take hold and have not ruled out further price cuts in the coming weeks. Breed bonuses of up to 30c/kg remain available for eligible Angus heifers and steers, but most outlets are paying an Angus bonus of 20-25c/kg. The Hereford breed bonus is at 15c/kg at most sites this week, with some outlets offering less and others offering more. Cow price 'U' grade cows are being quoted at up to €7.20/kg at the higher-end of the scale, with offers of €6.90-7.00/kg more common. 'R' grade cows are being quoted at up to €7.00/kg, with €6.80-6.90/kg more common offers for these. 'O' grade cows are being quoted at €6.50-6.60/kg and 'P' grade cows are being quoted at €6.40-6.50/kg. There remains considerable variation in cow price even within grades, depending on cow carcass weight and specification. Bulls Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €7.40-7.50/kg for 'U' grades, with 'R' grade bulls being quoted at €7.30-7.40/kg. 'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €7.20-7.30/kg and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €7.10-7.20/kg. Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €7.20/kg on the grid.
Agriland
15-06-2025
- General
- Agriland
Kerry farmer to take on 50-hours of ‘shear craic' for charity
A farmer from Co. Kerry is currently preparing for a charity challenge to shear around 2,000 sheep over the course of 50 hours. James O'Connor, a sheep farmer from in Cloghane in west Co. Kerry, is no stranger to record-breaking shearing events. In 2023, he sheared over 800 sheep in a 24-hour period to raise funds for his sister Mary Lynch, who had been given a terminal cancer diagnosis. The money was used to cover the cost of treatment in Germany for Mary, who is a mother of two young children, and has helped to prolong her life. Charity James told Agriland that he was eager to test his shearing ability even further and as a result the idea for '50 Hours of Shear Craic' was born. James said: 'We had done the 24-hour [challenge] and there was a little itch somewhere that couldn't be scratched, and we decided this was probably the way to do it and get it out of the system.' The upcoming 50-hour challenge taking place at Dingle Mart from July 3-6 is aiming to raise funds for two causes close to James and his family's heart. All money collected will go towards the Kerry Hospice Foundation and the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Unit at St. Joseph's National School in Castlemaine. 'Unfortunately, there aren't many families or people that haven't been touched by palliative care at this stage. 'They do great work and it is a credit to them, and it's nice to do something for them while they are looking after families in their time of need,' James said. The farmer also explained that a family member is attending the ASD unit at St. Joseph's National School, and James hoped that the money raised will help support the valuable work there too. James with his flock of sheep in west Co. Kerry James has set a fundraising target of €25,000, but he added that 'any few pound that's made and is given to the charities is a help to them and that's all we want to do'. The farmer, who also is involved in contract shearing, said it is hard to know how many sheep he will shear over the 50 hours. 'When I did the 24-hour challenge, we had originally set aside 700 sheep for it. I ended up doing 833. 'We have around 2,000 sheep organised for this. That's not to say I'm going to shear the 2,000 sheep, I could do more. I don't know, it's very hard to put a figure on it,' he said. '50 hours is a long time. At the end of the day I still have to look after myself and my own wellbeing. There are breaks. It's going to take three-and-a-half days to do it. 'I've done a lot of training – there's a lot of background work gone into it. I've had a personal trainer since last September working towards it,' he added. James shearing a sheep during his previous 24-hour shearing marathon The farmer is being supported on this challenge by his wife, Stacey and his cousin Ilona O'Dowd, along with Roy and Jeff Collier, who will be with him while he is shearing. James is encouraging members of the public to support the challenge in any capacity they can through the '50 Hours of Shear Craic' fundraising page on iDonate. He invited everyone to come along and see the challenge at Dingle Mart from July 3-6, where there will also be a range of family entertainment on offer.
