Young heifers lead the trading

Marts: Except for the quality young R grade heifers, there is very little sparkle in the beef trade at the factories for this week, as the trade remains firm at unchanged prices.

It will take a surge in demand, or a downturn in the supply of cattle or a combination of both — none of which appears likely in the short term — to release the freeze by the processors on any upward movement in prices.

Factories are not under pressure to increase intake to supply the markets — which have weakened — and notably some of the usual price leaders have slipped down the rating with any push in the trade coming from the smaller processors.