Irish Farmers' Association

Beef Update IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said the ban on Brazilian beef entering the EU from today creates a real opportunity for higher beef prices as EU customers fill the void that will be left. This ban has come about following the extensive investigation carried out jointly between IFA and the IFJ in October and November last year and the intensive lobbying campaign of key EU officials and MEPs by IFA afterwards.

IFA is proposing the introduction of a whiskey which is made with 100% Irish grain. Ahead of the closure of the Public Consultation on the Irish Whiskey Product Specification today, IFA Grain Chair John Murphy said he hopes the process will spark changes which lead to greater recognition of Irish grain in the overall Irish Whiskey story.

IFA Animal Health Chair David Hall has urged farmers to remain vigilant following confirmation of BTV-3 in an unvaccinated 16-month-old heifer in Co. Wexford. This is the first confirmed Irish case where infection occurred in 2026. “The confirmation is concerning as we are now in the high midge activity season. Recent warm and damp weather has created ideal conditions for the midges that spread the disease,” the Animal Health Chair said.

IFA President Francie Gorman led a delegation this week to meet the Minister for Finance Simon Harris and the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers to discuss IFA’s pre-Budget submission. “The three main pillars of the IFA submission are the expansion of farm schemes, supports to mitigate the inflationary costs of production, and the retention and enhancement of the tax reliefs that encourage the transfer land to genuine farmers” he said.

IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said the ban on Brazilian beef entering the EU from today creates a real opportunity for higher beef prices as EU customers fill the void that will be left. This ban has come about following the extensive investigation carried out jointly between IFA and the IFJ in October and November last year and the intensive lobbying campaign of key EU officials and MEPs by IFA afterwards.

Commodity September Nov/Dec €/t IRL Feed Wheat¹ 220 255 IRL Feed Barley¹ 210 240 Paris MATIF Wheat² 237.25 247 Paris Rapeseed – 542 FOB Creil (July 26) 235 – ¹ Source: Irish grain industry sources ² Source: Euronext correct as of 03.09.26 10am Paris MATIF futures for Dec-26 rose sharply last week by €12.50/t to close at a contract high of €251.00 following continued disruption and missile strikes in the Black Sea region.

Retail demand has increased as families return to normal routines following the summer break. Recent rainfall has been welcomed by potato growers across the country, following an exceptionally prolonged period of dry weather. However, there remains considerable uncertainty over how much benefit the rain will deliver to crops, particularly where potatoes have already suffered significant moisture stress. Many crops will be left to bulk up a little in September before being desiccated.

There was no change in Irish pig prices as of last Friday, with producers reporting a broad spread of prices across the Republic of Ireland. Those operating under the graded pricing system have reported slightly higher prices for certain pig weight categories, though the average price for pigs processed this week is reported to be between €1.68/kg and €1.72/kg.

IFA President Francie Gorman said the EU ban on Brazilian beef and poultry imports that is now in place is a very significant decision. It follows the investigation in Brazil by IFA and the Farmers Journal last year where they highlighted the complete lack of controls on the sale of antibiotics, which flies in the face of the EU strategy on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Prices reported as quoted or paid to IFA Members. Steer base €6.40/6.50/kg. Heifer base €6.50/6.60/kg. Young Bulls R/U €6.40/6.70/kg. Higher deals for larger and specialised lots. Cows €5.90/€6.50/kg. In-spec bonus 20c/kg for under 30 months and 8c/kg for 30 to 36 months. 12c/kg bonus for under 30 month steers and heifers grading O- and those with a fat class of 4+ that meet all other in spec criteria.