Beef prices maintain momentum

Marts: Continuation of the gradual rise in beef prices delivered a top return of 112p/lb for bullocks and heifers at the factories last week, while a new record of 102p/lb was paid for cows.

Euro Farm Foods at Duleek, Co Meath gave the largest increase for R4L bullocks of 1.5p/lb to bring the factory mean to the national top price of 111.8p/lb. Newgrange Meats was up by 1.3p/lb at 111p/lb and Donegal Meats rose by one-third p/lb to 111p/lb.

The highest overall price for bullocks was 112.3p/lb for U3 at Euro Foods and Donegal Meats. Prices were unchanged or slightly lower at factories which conceded large rises for the previous week with a margin of up to 3p/lb being kept between the south and market leaders in the midlands and north west.

Overall, the farmer paysheet returns from the factories for last week show that bullock prices rose by a mean of 2 cents/kg and heifers gained 1 cent/kg with nearly two-third of the factories paying averages varying between 109p/lb and 110p/lb, one quarter of the factories paying averages over 110p/lbl.

Intake was up 1,700 head at 31,260, of which bullocks accounted for 15,595. Heifers were 900 head higher at 8,261.

Prices for R4L heifers averaged 109.5p/lb with a top price of 112p/lb at Kepak (Clonee). Euro and Donegal averaged 110.8p/lb with Exel, Liffeys, Newgrange and Slaney all on 110p/lb. The average for O3 heifers was almost 107p/lb.

Cow prices reached a new peak with Euro Farm Foods paying 102p/lb for R grade cows and a top of 98p/lb at Dawn (Ballyhaunis) for O/P grades, with Moyvalley Meats, Co Kildare and Liffeys of Ballyjamesduff close contenders on price.