Bullock kill at four year high

Almost half of the factories paid less for R4L bullocks for last week's kill after a surge in supply to the highest weekly intake of bullocks in 2007 and the highest for the corresponding week since 2003.

The bullock kill increased by 1,600 to almost 18,000 head, an increase of 50% in a month, with the over supply - total kill of 34,550 head - putting severe downward pressure on prices being paid this week, although the farmer pay-sheet returns confirm that the weakening trend was already evident in the prices paid for last weeks kill.

Nearly half of the factories paid 2-3 cents/kg less for the bullocks, but the national average was maintained at 300 cents/kg (107p/lb) balanced by a slight increase at a few factories and a very strong pay out of 312 cents/kg (111.5p/lb) at Jennings of Ballinrobe boosted by the percentage of organic beef in the kill, which was purchased at 400 cents/kg (143p/lb).