It was business as usual for the main Irish beef processors this week, against a backdrop of freight chaos as European borders closed.
Kepak, Dawn Meats and ABP had all planned to kill three days this week and three days next week and those plans are still in place.
Quotes have held firm at €3.70/kg to €3.80/kg with prime cattle in firm demand.
Cows are a little easier this week, with some factories dropping quotes by €0.05/kg to €0.10/kg.
The larger processors have continued to push beef into the UK with no restrictions to make sure retail contracts are supplied without any breaks in supply in early January.
The Government has stepped up work on a Brexit support package for farmers as Irish meat bosses in the UK warn the sector faces a ‘resourcing crisis’.
Talks between Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath are understood to have intensified in recent days, according to Government sources.
The
Farming Independent has learned the two Ministers are understood to be framing a tailored package of financial supports for farmers with beef and suckler farmers as well as fishermen top of the wishlist for the package.
It is understood the aim of any package would be to insulate farmers from any market disturbance resulting from either a deal or no-deal Brexit.