The grim realities of life during the lockdown are hitting farming, despite the priority status it has been given by Government.

While life inside the farm gate may be less changed than most, the impact of the global lockdown on markets is being felt by cattle farmers in particular. Marts are to re-open as sale intermediaries, but beef prices are plummeting. Irish Farmers Journal analysis shows that factory prices have fallen by as much as €200/head compared to last year.

Co-ops are warning that their processing capacity may not be able to withstand any coronavirus-linked plant outages as peak milk approaches

Cow prices are down by 20c/kg, steers and heifers are back 10c/kg, and lambs and hoggets remain 40-60c/kg below last year’s price.

Pressure is mounting on Minister Creed to introduce beef and sheep price supports for farmers.

Dairy bosses are calling for aid to private storage schemes. Co-ops are warning that their processing capacity may not be able to withstand any coronavirus-linked plant outages as peak milk approaches.

A scheme to compensate farmers for uncollected milk is being sought.

Thousands of part-time farmers who have lost their jobs are among those who received their first Government emergency payment

The Government can act. Limitations on state aid have been relaxed, with the de minimis limit of €25,000 now extended to €100,000. Thousands of part-time farmers who have lost their jobs are among those who received their first Government emergency payment this week. But unemployment projections of up to 11% will hit rural Ireland hardest.

The saving grace of the last week has been the fine weather, allowing turnout of stock and work in the fields at last.