Beef trade remains positive

Marts: Everything about the beef trade is positive right now for producers with a further increase in prices paid by the factories as the supply of bullocks rising.

Bullock intake at the factories increased by more than 1,000 to 21,259 while prices gained an average of almost 3 cents/kg (1p/lb).

Nearly half of the factories paid between 1p/lb and 3p/lb more for R4L bullocks which brought the national average to 103p/lb. The national average for O4L bullocks at over 279 cents/kg was almost 100p/lb.

Prices at factories in Munster continue to trail the rest of the country. AIBP plants at Bandon, Rathkeale and Cahir paid an average of 101p/lb for R4L bullocks with similar returns at Dawn, Midleton. Interestingly both AIBP and Dawn at their Waterford factories paid over 103p/lb for similar grade animals. Apart from Jennings at over 105p/lb, Slaney (Bunclody), Kepak (Clonee), Liffeys (Ballyjamesduff), Euro Foods (Duleek), Dunbia Exel (Kilbeggan) and Dunbia Newgrange (Navan) all paid over 104p/lb.

Prices paid for R4L heifers have stabilised at a national average of just over 103p/lb with no increase from the previous week but the average for O3 heifers was improved by 3 cents/kg (1p/lb) to almost 100p/lb. Kepak (Clonee) paid an average of 109p/lb, with Slaney (Bunclody) and Dawn (Waterford) just short of 106p/lb and Dunbia Newgrange and Exel, Meadow Meats and Dawn (Ballaghadereen) averaging 104p/lb or better.

The top price for cows was up 2p/lb at 95p/lb with return for O grade up to 90p/lb at Dunbia Newgrange and P’s increased to 88p/lb at Dunbia Exel.