Welcome to the Farmer Hub

You’ve worked every type of land, every kind of season. Rain, drought, late frost — you’ve farmed through it all. You’ve raised calves on powdered milk, milked cows before sunrise, waited on the AI man, hauled silage, forked straw, checked mart prices, and still wondered how the money’s not there.

You’ve fed bulls €50/day in nuts, only to be docked at the mart. You’ve sprayed for weeds in oats, battled drought in wheat, and watched barley yields fall short again and again. You’ve done everything right — rotated crops, managed grass, balanced minerals — and yet the margins keep thinning, the bills keep growing, and the risk keeps piling up.

Milk at 48 cent a litre. Beef just under €5/kg. Crops that don’t even cover the cost of diesel. It’s all getting harder. And through it all, no one thanks you. You do it because it’s in your blood. But that doesn’t mean it has to break you.

That’s Why We Built the Farmer Hub

Munster Hemp isn’t here to replace what you do. It’s here to back it.

Hemp is a legal, fast-growing, low-input crop that works alongside what you’re already doing. It doesn’t need to eat. Doesn’t kick gates. Doesn’t need milking. You sow it. You tend it. You harvest it. And we’ll buy it — direct.

From seed to store, we’re with you the whole way. We’re building something new for Irish farms — not fantasy, not fluff, but a practical, tested way to take back control over your land and your future.

Ready to explore what hemp could mean for you?

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Agri Market Report – April 2025

April has arrived with strong figures across Ireland’s agricultural sectors—but the story behind the numbers is more layered than it seems. While beef and dairy returns remain high, costs are pushing margins tight, weather has already delayed key sowing windows, and international trade tensions are bubbling again. Here’s where things stand.

Beef Sector: High Prices, Lower Kill

Irish beef prices remain strong heading into mid-April. Steers and heifers are clearing upwards of €5.20–€5.45/kg, depending on grade and region. Cow quotes remain firm, holding near €4.65/kg. The national kill is notably down compared to April 2024, tightening availability and keeping demand sharp.

Most plants are competing for stock, especially for quality bulls, which are commanding a premium. That said, tight throughput isn’t expected to continue through Q2—many finishers have held cattle back due to poor ground and feed prices. Expect a flush around May-June if weather improves.

Dairy Market: Milk Holding, Inputs Rising

Milk prices are holding around 49c/L for the average butterfat and protein mix. That’s giving confidence to producers, especially as April grass growth improves across most of Munster. Still, input costs—especially for nitrogen and feed concentrates—remain high, keeping profits under pressure.

Butter and powder export demand from continental Europe remains steady, and Irish processors are optimistic about holding prices steady into the early summer. Farmers are watching energy costs closely—any spike in oil or electricity could tip margins again.

Tillage: Wet Start and Delayed Drilling

After a wetter-than-average March, many growers are still trying to catch up on cereal sowing. Barley prices are currently averaging €0.28/kg and wheat at €0.34/kg, slightly ahead of April 2024. Fertiliser remains a cost anchor, but availability is no longer an issue.

With global grain markets trending sideways, much of the 2025 profitability will depend on yield. Those who manage to get crops in this month will be best placed, but it’s already a year of late starts and cautious optimism.

Live Exports and Trade Movements

Irish cattle exports in Q1 have been strong, particularly to Italy and Spain. Calves are commanding €370–€380/head at ports, driven by feedlot demand and a solid continental spring. That demand has helped underpin mart trade at home.

Exporters remain concerned about logistics bottlenecks, especially around ferry sailings and health cert delays. Some are pushing for government reform to fast-track vet paperwork during peak season.

Tariffs and U.S. Trade Tension: A New Unknown

One of the biggest questions heading into summer is the impact of newly proposed U.S. tariffs. Former President Trump, now the GOP front-runner, announced in late March a set of campaign pledges to reintroduce agricultural tariffs on EU goods—including meat, dairy, and processed foods. While these haven’t taken effect, Irish markets are already watching the knock-on risks.

The threat alone is causing nervousness across supply chains. Exporters fear a second wave of trade barriers could stall global meat prices and shake currency exchange rates, particularly in the euro-dollar channel. For now, the tariffs are talk—but with U.S. elections looming and markets sensitive to signals, it’s something Irish farmers can’t ignore.

Looking Ahead: Diversify and Plan for Q2

The April picture shows strong returns, but it’s a narrow balance. Cattle are dear, but the kill is down. Milk is steady, but margins are stretched. Crops are late, and global policy is unpredictable. The best-positioned farmers heading into May will be those who can stay flexible—looking at costs, yields, and perhaps even adding new crops to reduce exposure.

Munster Hemp is monitoring market conditions and will continue providing localised insights as the season develops.

All prices reflect trends for April 10, 2025. VAT not included. Average values shown unless otherwise stated.