Tighter prices at the factories

Marts: As beef prices tightened at the factories for a second week, analysis of factory averages for the first two months of 2007 show smaller factories led the field within a narrow price variation nationally.

The average factory price for R4L bullocks for January-February from 26 factories ranged between 107.6p/lb and 106p/lb. The top 10 factories paying between 107/6p/lb and 106.9p/lb were Donegal Meats, Jennings (Ballinrobe), Dunbia Newgrange (Navan), Liffeys (Ballyjamesduff), Euro Foods (Duleek), Slaney (Bunclody), AIBP (Bandon and Waterford).

For R4L heifers over the period nationally there was a variation of 110p/lb to 106p/lb. Ten of the best varied between 110p/lb and 107.7p/lb. They were Kepak (Clonee), Euro Foods (Duleek), AIBP (Nenagh), Slaney (Bunclody), AIBP (Waterford), Dawn (Waterford), Jennings (Ballinrobe) and Donegal.

There was a general weakening in prices paid last week with the smaller factories moving into the price leaders positions. At an average of 109.4p/lb for R4L bullocks, Jennings of Ballinrobe had a 2p/lb lead over their nearest rival, Slaney Meats, Bunclody, paying 107.6p/lb and Kepak, Clonee at 107.3p/lb, against a national average of 106.6p/lb.

Within a slightly lower group average of 106.5p/lb for AIBP, the Bandon plant was highest at an average of 107p/lb. Dawn Group average was lower by 0.6p/lb at 106p/lb, — highest individual factory was Meadow Meats, Rathdowney at 106.4p/lb — and prices within Kepak Group were slightly higher 106.7p/lb due entirely to 107.3p/lb paid at Kepak, Clonee. Average for O4L bullocks was 103.4p/lb.

R4L heifers averaged 107.2p/lb top price of 111p/lb at Kepak (Clonee), and O3 averaged 103p/lb.

Total kill was 33,301 — up 2,200 on the same week last year — of which bullocks were 14,629.

Cow prices were also weaker. AIBP (Bandon) was strongest for P grade at 89p/lb and O grade at almost 90p/lb.