A short week after the Bank Holiday, but there was plenty going on – from Luxembourg to the marts. Here’s what caught our eye in Irish farming this week.
🇪🇺 Council position agreed on the next CAP
Minister Martin Heydon, chairing the Agrifish Council in Luxembourg on 27 October under Ireland’s EU Presidency, secured unanimous backing from member states for a partial general approach on the CAP for 2028–2034. The main points:
- The current two-pillar system would be folded into a single structure, with each country drawing up one National and Regional Partnership Plan.
- A new Degressive Area-Based Income Support (DABIS) would replace today’s payment system, and every country would have to define an “active farmer”.
- Higher income support for young farmers would be compulsory, along with a generational renewal strategy and a “starter pack” of set-up supports, training and advice.
This isn’t the final word. The Council position now goes into talks with the European Parliament and Commission, and the budget – including detail on capping and degressivity – will be settled in the wider EU budget negotiations. At the Macra rally in Adare last weekend, president Josephine O’Neill called for 10% of CAP funding to be ring-fenced for young farmers, while the IFA warned that any CAP deal will be hollow without a bigger budget.
🐄 Beef: factories pulling back
Processors kept up the pressure on prices this week, according to Agriland’s factory quotes. Bullocks were generally quoted at €7.40/kg on the grid and heifers at €7.50/kg, with cuts of up to 20c/kg on prime cattle in places and some breed bonuses being trimmed. Cows have taken the bigger hit, with P-grade cows down to around €6.60–6.70/kg – though cow prices are still roughly €2/kg ahead of this time last year. Some buyers expect further cuts; others think the trade will level off.
On supply, CSO figures show about 1.2 million cattle were slaughtered in the first nine months of 2026, down 3.7% on the same period last year. September alone, though, was up 9.3% year on year.
🚢 Algeria suspends live cattle imports
Algeria has temporarily stopped live cattle imports after reportedly identifying a new serotype of foot-and-mouth disease, the Irish Farmers Journal reported on 27 October. Two consignments of bulls had already been assembled for the market, and buying was under way for at least one more. How long the suspension lasts will likely depend on how quickly the outbreak is brought under control – another reminder of how exposed the live trade is.
🦟 Bluetongue cases climbing
Confirmed cases of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) had reached 48 by late October, with warm, dry weather favouring the midges that spread it. ICMSA has criticised the Department’s response as “too little, too late”, and is calling for more testing and surveillance, cheaper post-mortems for unexplained losses, and smaller vaccine packs for smaller herds. If you’re unsure about vaccinating, or you see anything unusual in your stock, talk to your own vet or Teagasc adviser.
🌾 Winter crops in the ground
Good sowing conditions mean the winter crop area looks set to be at least on a par with last year, seed merchants told the Farmers Journal. Oats have recovered after a dip in 2026, and oilseed rape and rye are both up. Winter wheat may slip back slightly, and some wheat after beet and potatoes still has to go in.
🌤️ Weather: a settled start to November
After the storms of last week, Met Éireann is forecasting a quieter spell. Saturday brings some rain in the northwest early on, clearing southeast, with highs of 12–14°C. Sunday and Monday look mostly dry and bright but cooler, at 10–13°C. High pressure should keep things generally dry and calm into midweek – handy for getting the last of the field jobs done.
From the yard
With the winter crops sown here in Foulksmills, the focus has switched fully to the sheds and the feed. If you’re finishing cattle over the winter and want a steady, fibre-rich ration, our FibreGold beef 14% is ready to go, with delivery nationwide. For a quote, WhatsApp us on 087 283 2443 or get in touch here.
Sources: DAFM – CAP Council position; Irish Farmers Journal – Macra rally; Irish Farmers Journal; Agriland – factory quotes; Irish Farmers Journal – cattle kill; Irish Farmers Journal – Algeria; DairyNews – bluetongue; Irish Farmers Journal – winter crops; Met Éireann.
