The Dealer was intrigued to see the engagement between IFA president Eddie Downey and ABP founder and chair Larry Goodman at the Tullamore Show last Sunday. As the record attendance basked in the Offaly sunshine, two of the more important men in Irish beef went toe-to-toe over the sluggish state of the market.
The Dealer was intrigued to see the engagement between IFA president Eddie Downey and ABP founder and chair Larry Goodman at the Tullamore Show last Sunday.
As the record attendance basked in the Offaly sunshine, two of the more important men in Irish beef went toe-to-toe over the sluggish state of the market.
Downey and Goodman met on the walkway right across from the busy Irish Farmers Journal stand. Goodman had his son and property chief Laurence with him, while the IFA president was flanked by long-standing IFA livestock director Kevin Kinsella.
The way the two men were deep in conversation, I am sure the topic moved quickly from the fine sunshine and ice cream aplenty to cattle prices, store prices, market access, UK retailers and the price of sterling.
Judging by the body language of the two protagonists, both gave as good as they got. It was all serious business with no smiles and only a pleasant handshake at the end. Despite the huge crowd passing by, nobody dared interrupt the conversation, which went on for a good 15 minutes – all acutely aware of the seriousness of the discussion.
At the ABP own stand, Larry’s lieutenant-in-chief Finbarr McDonnell patrolled the area. The long-serving McDonnell was joined on the stand by Charles Smith of the Irish Aberdeen Angus producers group. There was a clear focus on the stand for Hereford and Angus-type. cattle
On the price of stores, The Dealer hears that Goodman’s buyers will be busy again this autumn. Word on the street and around the mart rings is that the original beef baron is adding significant space to his Castlebellingham, Co Louth, feedlot. Does he know something feeders don’t this winter?
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