The Beef Edge

Teagasc Beef Specialist, David Argue, is on this week’s Beef Edge discussing cattle finished so far this year and, given current increasing beef prices, budgets for the coming months.

So far this year up to March 16th, 398,076 cattle have been finished according to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. This is an increase of almost 11,000 head of cattle in comparison to the same time last year.

With regards to live exports, tighter cattle supplies across Europe and movement restrictions implemented in some key cattle trading markets due to the spread of bluetongue, are key contributing factors behind the continued firm demand for Irish cattle in key export markets in the early weeks of 2025.

The 2025 calf trade has been slower to start in line with later calf registrations, however, it has increased strongly in week ending 2nd March. There has been a total of 18,963 calves exported since the start of 2025, a 58% decrease on the same time period in 2024.

Quotes from major processors have continued to trend upward and this has been reflected in a balance between supply and demand currently in favour of producers.

With farmers with forward stores questioning whether they should go to grass or be kept in and finished, David highlights some key considerations and costs of production ranging from €215 to €311.

When looking at a 400kg store animal, David discusses the costs of production for a 20 months store or 24 month finished steer with costs ranging from €126 to €476.

David advises the importance of looking at the costs of the production system and take all other factors into account.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com