Beef farmers might be glad to hear of signs that supplies of cattle to factories were beginning to tighten this week which may result in the reversal of the price drop in recent weeks.

While quotes this week were between £3.10 and £3.16, last week’s kill was 6,015 head, a reduction of almost 1,000 on the previous week.

The Livestock and Meat Commission say deadweight prime cattle prices in Northern Ireland were continuing to come under pressure last week in line with the reduced base quotes from the plants. For example, the average steer price last week was 315p per kg, down 3.8p per kg from the previous week while the R3 steer price was back 4.7p per kg to £3.25p per kg. There is no additional bonus paid now.

While deadweight cattle prices continued to come under pressure across Great Britain, average steer and heifer prices were still in the region of £332.per kg to £3.34p per kg.

The LMC is looking wider with the aim of selling beef abroad. They were part of a delegation including the Ulster Farmers’ Union attending the World Meat Congress in Beijing, China, and looking at potential markets for beef there.

LMC chief executive, Ian Stevenson said: “Northern Ireland’s beef and lamb processing sector does not have direct access to mainland China at the present time, although we do supply Hong Kong and other associated markets in the region.

“It may take up to four years before full approval can be secured for local beef producers to supply China. This will entail a long and complicated administrative process and inspection visits to Northern Ireland by veterinarians representing the Chinese government. But it is an effort well worth making because beef consumption is on the rise throughout South East Asia, as are income levels.

“Access to the Chinese market also holds out the hope of securing higher returns for fifth quarter, which includes edible offal and hides.

“The Commission and the meat industry are fully aware of the potential benefits that can be passed on to farmers through our accessing of the Chinese markets. Business in China, more than within any other international market, is carried on the strength of personal relationships. This is why it is so important for representatives from Northern Ireland to make the effort and meet with their counterparts within China’s food and retail sectors on their home patch.” The World Meat Congress (WMC) is a biennial event host by the International Meat Secretariat.

Meanwhile, Roger Williams a Welsh Liberal Democrats MP for Brecon and Radnorshire has highlighted to the Minister responsible for Food and Agriculture, George Eustice, the collapse in the farm gate beef price.

He said: “It has dropped from around 380p per kilo deadweight to 310p per kilo deadweight, so the average beast is now worth around £250 less than it was four months ago.” He asked the Minister what DEFRA thought the cause of this problem was, and what they would do about it.

The Minister replied that increased imports and both slaughter and meat processing plants and retailers were increasing their margins which was reducing beef prices. DEFRA would be hosting a beef summit in the early summer to address the issues.

Roger Williams replied: “The drop in beef prices has shook the confidence of the whole beef supply chain. Upland farmers in Brecon and Radnorshire and all the way across Wales produce top quality beef. But the cost of doing it is very high. Making a commitment to produce a calf that will not be ready for slaughter for two years needs assurance that the demand will be there after the costs have been incurred. I intend to attend the summit when DEFRA arrange it because this is one of the biggest threats to upland farming that exists at the moment. I will also be contacting the main supermarkets to tackle this issue head on.”