As reported in the latest LMC bulletin, the average cost of suckler beef production in NI during 2017/2018 was 420p/kg, up from 397p/kg in the previous 12 months.However, in 2018/2019 farmers were faced with even higher costs, and recent analysis by the Agriculture and Horticulture Board (AHDB) suggests that production costs in that period went up another 19p/kg. That would leave average costs of suckler beef in NI around the 440p/kg mark.
As reported in the latest LMC bulletin, the average cost of suckler beef production in NI during 2017/2018 was 420p/kg, up from 397p/kg in the previous 12 months.
However, in 2018/2019 farmers were faced with even higher costs, and recent analysis by the Agriculture and Horticulture Board (AHDB) suggests that production costs in that period went up another 19p/kg. That would leave average costs of suckler beef in NI around the 440p/kg mark.
Factor in that farmers probably took an average of £100/head less for cattle, then it is clear that margins, even of the very best producers, are under pressure. At base prices in the 320s, it is impossible to cover all costs, whether it is suckler beef or finishing calves from the dairy herd. It is a real crisis.
There are a number of different factors that have combined to take prices down, but ultimately it is supply and demand that drives the market.
Do these people not realise that we have cattle out grazing in fields surrounded by hedges and trees?
With less cattle coming forward in Britain and Ireland in the second half of 2019, that would normally lead to higher returns. However, demand is also being squeezed, and not helped by the constant negativity towards beef.
The latest is a university in London that is taking beef off its menu as part of its contribution to fighting climate change.
Do these people not realise that we have cattle out grazing in fields surrounded by hedges and trees? We know that grassland takes in carbon, but scientists don’t yet fully understand how much. Our beef from NI might be virtually carbon neutral – no-one really knows.
In the meantime, these university academics would have us ploughing up grassland to grow crops, releasing thousands of tonnes of carbon in the process, and seem to favour importing plant-based alternatives from around the world and eating highly processed vegan foods. But what about just buying beef from local suppliers and minimising your carbon footprint in that way? This message urgently needs to get through.
Read more
Meat consumption under scrutiny in climate report
Farmer Writes: how many suckler farmers can weather this latest storm?
‘Slash suckler herd’ – climate report
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: