The beef kill dropped below 29,000 head last week, as numbers of finished cattle continue to dry up around the country.

Mart managers are also reporting lower numbers of finished cattle in sales.

Factories have dropped processing days to manage supplies, but are still anxious for finished cattle.

Bullocks are generally working off a €7.20/kg base price, with heifers selling at €7.30/kg.

Some factories are trying to buy bullocks at €7.10/kg, but are paying the higher price when pressure is applied.

Cows are continuing to be a steady trade, with up to €7/kg still being paid for well-fleshed, R-grading cows.

UK

Numbers of finished cattle are also dropping in the UK, with AHDB reporting that UK beef production has fallen by 3% from January to May 2025 when compared with the same period in 2024, with the May figure alone down 4%.

The British bullock kill was back 8% on the previous week, with the heifer kill back also down, recording a drop of 5.5%

IFA

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal IFA livestock chair Declan Hanrahan said: “Supplies of finished cattle are extremely tight with numbers, based on Bord Bia projections and the strong live export trade, expected to reduce by almost 100,000 between now and year end.

“Beef production is also down in our key markets, the UK and the EU, and this supply demand balance must deliver for Irish and EU beef producers.

“There must be an urgent reset from factories, supermarkets and politicians in how they view and support beef production.”