Mr Michael Doran said to break the factory cartel on cattle prices, winter feeders must realise the strength of their bargaining position and stop selling cattle at current quoted prices. Feeders can insist on a minimum base price of €3.50/kg for next week, the same price that was available some three weeks ago.

The IFA livestock leader stated all the facts favoured the feeders and prices can rise significantly over the coming weeks.  Cattle supplies in Ireland and the UK are extremely tight and farmers have bargaining power. At best factories have 1 to 2 days kill ahead of them. Market prices in the UK are up 20c/Kg over the last two weeks and continue to rise. Sterling has strengthened from 80.8p to 78p against the Euro over the last two weeks. There are no supplies of South American beef imports available on the market.

Costs have rocketed this year, up 50c to 70c/Kg after feeding cattle. For a six-month winter, feeders must not allow the factories control prices at this critical stage.

---