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FARMING - BEEF & SHEEP

A collection of the latest news, views and analysis from the farming desk on the topic of Beef and Sheep.

<p>Last week, there was a drop of 1,588 head in sheep slaughter numbers.</p>

farming

Sheep price cuts make no sense with the supply collapsing, says ICSA

The ICSA have said sheep farming is 'eroding into oblivion' with current beef prices sitting higher than lamb

<p>A combination of higher live exports and earlier slaughtering of beef animals has added to the lower national herd size.</p>

farming

Finished cattle shortage to continue into 2026

<p>Jeremy Clarkson outside The Squat Shop, on his farm, Diddly Squat, near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. File picture: Blackball Media</p>

outdoors

'We've gone down with TB' — Jeremy Clarkson confirms outbreak at farm

Meat industry,meats hanging in the cold store. Cattles cut and hanged on hook in a slaughterhouse. Halal cutting.

farming

Beef intake forecast to drop by up to 90,000 head this year

Signpost: Grass growth challenges managed with tight rotation and fodder planning

farming

Signpost: Grass growth challenges managed with tight rotation and fodder planning

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

farming

Tight lamb supplies keep a floor under factory prices

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

close up of wheat grain.

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub.

Mon, 28 Jul, 2025

Cow bonding with her newborn calf

Plan ahead now to get autumn calving off to a smooth start

Remember a cow in the dry period is like an athlete in pre-season and you must prepare the system for the season ahead, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Flock of sheep standing on knoll with hill-country behind.

Australia and New Zealand take aim at UK meat market

With Irish herds declining and domestic UK production increasingly constrained, Australian suppliers are establishing themselves as a reliable premium alternative

Wed, 23 Jul, 2025

Butcher making quality report in slaughterhouse

Factories under pressure as annual cattle kill falls by 8,800 head

All main categories of stock are back by more than 30% on the same week last year, writes Martin Ryan

Wed, 23 Jul, 2025

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Processors struggle to cut lamb quotes amid flock decline

Some processors seem anxious to reduce prices by up to 10c/kg, an approach that seems to be clashing with the struggle to maintain intake

Wed, 23 Jul, 2025

Iowa Corn Field

Grain deals, straw steals: Now’s the time to buy smart

With soil temperatures well above normal, if we get more moisture, we can expect a supercharging of grass growth

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

Stacked bales of straw in farmers field Bedfordshire England

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub.

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

ICMSA slams factories over beef price quotes amid soaring live export demand

ICMSA slams factories over beef price quotes amid soaring live export demand

With demand for Irish beef soaring and cattle numbers tight, farmers are being urged to reject substandard factory quotes

Thu, 17 Jul, 2025

Tractor miniature with coins on fertile soil land

Agricultural output price index up 20.7% in the 12 months to May

Wool has experienced an annual increase of 31.9% after remaining static for 11 months from May 2024 to May 2025.

Wed, 16 Jul, 2025

Cows eating straw hay on pasture

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

Close up shot of raw meat hanging on hooks at a slaughterhouse

Tight cattle supplies lift beef quotes, but factories remain cautious

Farm organisations are advising members that the outlook is positive and to adopt a ‘hard sell’ on prices

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Sheep pen

Sheep prices fall again as factory pressure dents producer confidence

Quotes for lambs are down by 20–25c/kg in general at a base of 820c/kg, plus the usual bonus for quality and a carcass cut-off weight of 21kg being applied

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Pressure Washing

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every week on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Row of brown cows staring over a wall

Brian Reidy: Weanling sales and managing grass for suckler performance

Some say successful beef and dairy enterprises are one-third breeding, one-third feeding and one-third management. But in truth, it's 100% management, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Agriculture, livestock and portrait of cow at farm for milk, dairy or beef production, supply chain or industry. Sustainability,

Genotyping reveals 17% of calves registered with incorrect sire

As well as correcting registration errors and the accompanying risk of in-breeding, genotyping identifies problem animals with chromosomal abnormalities.

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Photograph by David Ruffles

Fall in sheep slaughter numbers reflect 'worsening situation' in sheep farming, ICSA says

Sheep slaughterings fell by 16.4% in the first five months of the year, CSO data shows

Wed, 02 Jul, 2025

Meat industry,meats hanging in the cold store. Cattles cut and hanged on hook in a slaughterhouse. Halal cutting.

Beef suppliers hope the slide in prices may be bottoming out

The quoted base prices have been reduced by up to 5 cents/kg for both steers and heifers

Wed, 02 Jul, 2025

€36,000 prize up for grabs for Beef Bull of the Future Championships

€36,000 prize up for grabs for Beef Bull of the Future Championships

ABP Ireland will continue its support for the oldest agricultural event, Iverk Show, which returns to Piltown, Kilkenny, on August 23

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

North Devon Ruby Red beef cattle feeding in a row, Spetisbury, Dorset, England, UK

Buitelaar appoint new Animal Health, Welfare and Regulatory Affairs Director

The family-owned beef suppliers have appointed Mr Michael Sheahan as their new Director of Animal Health, Welfare and Regulatory Affairs.

Thu, 26 Jun, 2025

Herd of young calves drinking water

Summer health checks: Stay ahead, stay profitable

Proactive summer health management is essential to keep cattle thriving through the grazing season, writes Thomas O'Sullivan, InTouch Feeding Specialist at Alltech.

Wed, 25 Jun, 2025

close-up hand of person holding coin with soil in hand on soft nature background

Teagasc confirms rebounds in farm incomes for all sectors last year

The average family farm income rose by 87% to just under €36,000 in 2024, with strong improvements in the dairy, tillage and sheep sectors

Wed, 25 Jun, 2025

New map highlights dog attacks on sheep in Kerry

New map highlights dog attacks on sheep in Kerry

The number of sheep killed or injured is not given, simply the townlands and the number of reported attacks in that townland

Wed, 25 Jun, 2025

Close up shot of raw meat hanging on hooks at a slaughterhouse

Beef price slide may be bottoming out as supply tightens

There is more of a mix of prices being offered to suppliers this week, amid reports that the processors are finding the acceptance of their lower offer very challenging, writes Martin Ryan

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Spring lamb trade steadies as prices lift to €8.80/kg

The changeover from hoggets to spring lamb is well advanced, but the weekly increase in the new-season lambs has slowed down, leaving some reliance remaining on the hoggets to meet the factory requirements

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year award-winners announced

Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year award-winners announced

The overall winner of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year 2024 is Michael Ahern from Ballyduff, Co Waterford

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

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