Producers continue to resist lower prices

Marts: Producer resistance to lower prices for beef is continuing to win the battle against lower quoted prices at the factories, where the changes in overall returns for last week — albeit lower — were minimal.

Although remaining ahead of 2005, intake at the factories is showing weekly slippage which should favour producers.

The national average paid by the processors for R4L bullocks and heifers dropped by 1 cent/kg with movement in prices at individual factories almost balancing out. AIBP increased the average for R4L bullocks at Cahir and Bandon by 2 cent/kg to pay 108.7p/lb and 108.6p/lb respectively. Ashbourne Meats (Roscrea), Kepak (Clonee) and Jennings (Ballinrobe) dropped 3 cent/kg paying averages of 109.8p/lb, 109.4p/lb and 108.4p/lb respectively. In all, the average was higher — up to 0.7p/lb — at nine factories, while 11 factories cut prices by up to 1.1p/lb.

The national average for R4L bullocks fell just below 109p/lb. Newgrange Meats, Navan topped the league at an average of 111p/lb, a shade ahead of neighbour Euro Foods at 110.9p/lb, with Liffeys and AIBP (Nenagh) paying 110p/lb.

The national average for O4L bullocks was 106.3p/lb, with up to 108p/lb being paid at Jennings and Dawn’s Ballaghadereen plant.

The overall average for R4L heifers was just over 109p/lb. Kepak (Clonee) were tops at 112.6p/lb, followed by Liffeys at 111p/lb and Dawn (Ballaghadereen), Slaney Meats, Euro Foods and AIBP (Nenagh) at 110p/lb. Prices for cows have slipped 1p-3p/lb. Top price was 97p/lb for R4L at Euro Foods. Kepak (Clonee) paid 96p/lb for O4H and AIBP (Clones) paid highest for P grade at 94p/lb.