A surge in cattle numbers in the marts is forecast this week as the lifting of the factory blockades feeds back along the supply chain.
Sheep farmers are facing losses of up to €400,000 as a result of the factory protests. Close to 70,000 lambs have backed up on sheep holdings in recent weeks due to the farmer blockades on processing plants.
Declan O'Brien canvasses the contenders' views on three burning issues facing the beef sector
The sun shone for the three days of the Ploughing last week - a welcome relief for everyone after Storm Ali caused carnage at last year's event. Farmers, for the most part, were in good form, with record crowds turning up in Carlow.
Serious labour shortages at the country's meat slaughtering plants is curtailing the beef industry's capacity to return to full production in the wake of the recent farmer protests.
Donald Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong in a "nice" call with Ukraine's president - hours after he appeared to confirm that he had discussed former vice-president Joe Biden with the foreign leader.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged people to accept Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's apology for using blackface.
