Producers continue to resist price cuts

PRICE swings of up to 1p/lb at factories balanced to give an overall average for R4L bullocks marginally lower for last week.

As the battle over individual interests on cattle prices between processors and producers continued, 12 factories reduced prices for R4L bullocks, while six paid higher prices, with overall gains or losses controlled to marginal levels.

Producers continue to resist downward pressure by the factories (quoted prices have been cut) with a hard sell maintaining prices to within one cent/kg of the average for the previous week.

On the plus side Ashbourne Meats (Roscrea) and Duffys (Gort) paid almost 1p/lb more for R4L bullocks at 111p/lb and 110p/lb respectively. AIBP (Nenagh) was up 0.7p/lb at 110.4p/lb. Prices were back by 1p/lb at Kildare Chilling, AIBP (Bandon) and Slaney (Freshford) paying 109p/lb, 108p/lb and 107.2p/lb respectively.

Against a national average of 109p/lb, the top price was 111.4p/lb at Donegal Meats followed by Euro Foods and Newgrange Meats at 111p/lb. A further five plants paid over 110p/lb.

The average for O4L bullocks was 107p/lb with a top price of almost 110p/lb at AIBP (Nenagh).

Heifer prices were broadly similar to that of bullocks. Average for R4L heifers was 109.3p/lb with a top price of 112p/lb paid by Kepak (Clonee). Donegal Meats paid 111p/lb with 110p/lb at Euro Foods, Dawn (Waterford) and Liffey Meats. Average for O3 heifers was 106.4p/lb.

There was some slippage in cow prices as the trade appears heading for a phasing back in returns. Quality R grade cows realised a top price of 100p/lb at AIBP (Clones), with 97p/lb for O grade at Dawn (Ballyhaunis) and 96p/lb for P grade at Ashbourne Meats.