Winter finishers are now in crisis mode, with losses going beyond anything that was anticipated in the autumn of 2025.
Over €1 million a week is currently being added to winter finisher losses, with over €5 million taken out of farmers’ pockets in the last five weeks.
The increased losses, which are taking place week-on-week, mean some finishers are staring at a situation of not being able to restock, such is the extent of losses currently being incurred.
There is very little to suggest that the current slashing of quotes is warranted. Market information beyond the factory gate is scant, but the most recent update of the Bord Bia market tracker is pointing to the EU price increasing in the last number of weeks, while the Irish price moves in the opposite direction.
Young bulls in Italy continue to trade north of €8/kg, while young bulls in France are knocking on the door of €8/kg – €400-€500/head behind what is currently being quoted by Irish processors for the same animals.
While the UK market is back, it hasn’t seen the same level of cuts that the Irish price has in recent weeks. The message of cattle being backed up for two to three weeks is also being pedalled by processors, but what isn’t being talked about is the fact that many processors are only killing cattle two to three days a week.
It’s very easy to back up cattle when you are running a factory at less than half its capacity.
There is a thought that the current delays in getting cattle killed could be pointing to managing tighter supplies as we enter into the traditional tighter supply months of April and May.
Finishers need answers, which the industry isn’t providing at the moment.
The financial risk taken on by finishers was never higher than the last few months, and with the amount of money involved there will almost certainly be casualties should the current price pressure continue.
Winter finishers are now in crisis mode, with losses going beyond anything that was anticipated in the autumn of 2025.
Over €1 million a week is currently being added to winter finisher losses, with over €5 million taken out of farmers’ pockets in the last five weeks.
The increased losses, which are taking place week-on-week, mean some finishers are staring at a situation of not being able to restock, such is the extent of losses currently being incurred.
There is very little to suggest that the current slashing of quotes is warranted. Market information beyond the factory gate is scant, but the most recent update of the Bord Bia market tracker is pointing to the EU price increasing in the last number of weeks, while the Irish price moves in the opposite direction.
Young bulls in Italy continue to trade north of €8/kg, while young bulls in France are knocking on the door of €8/kg – €400-€500/head behind what is currently being quoted by Irish processors for the same animals.
While the UK market is back, it hasn’t seen the same level of cuts that the Irish price has in recent weeks. The message of cattle being backed up for two to three weeks is also being pedalled by processors, but what isn’t being talked about is the fact that many processors are only killing cattle two to three days a week.
It’s very easy to back up cattle when you are running a factory at less than half its capacity.
There is a thought that the current delays in getting cattle killed could be pointing to managing tighter supplies as we enter into the traditional tighter supply months of April and May.
Finishers need answers, which the industry isn’t providing at the moment.
The financial risk taken on by finishers was never higher than the last few months, and with the amount of money involved there will almost certainly be casualties should the current price pressure continue.
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