Beef prices steady for quality grades

BEEF prices at the factories held steady last week for the quality grades, but the poorer grading bullocks were weaker by an average of 1p/lb.

Supplies to the processors increased to around 70% of the pre-Christmas throughput, with 28,000 head going through the plants.

Prices for R grade bullocks were maintained, with returns for O grade weaker, while prices paid for heifers were stable for R grade and stronger by 1p/lb on average for O grade. The price difference between R and O grades has reduced to 3p/lb.