Kill drops on lower prices

The intake of bullocks dropped by 2,500 head after factories reduced prices by up to 6c/kg (2p/lb) last week with the heaviest losses in prices for the poorer graders.

Although the full impact of the reduction is disguised by cattle purchased the previous week, at higher prices, included in the kill for the week the average for R4L bullocks was down by 3c/kg (1p/lb) and the average for R4L heifers was down 2c/kg.

But the heaviest cuts were for O grade animals with the national average for O4L bullocks down 4c/kg (1.3p/lb) and the average for O3 heifers lower by 6c/kg (2p/lb).

Kepak (Clonee) and Ashbourne (Roscrea) were the only plants paying 300c/kg (107p/lb) for R4L bullocks while in Munster AIBP (Bandon and Nenagh) averaged slightly less at 299c/kg on par with Dunbia (Navan), Euro Foods (Duleek) and Donegal Meats.

One in three of the factories paid less than 297c (106p/lb).

The overall average for O4L bullocks was 286c/kg (102p/lb), while Jennings (Ballinrobe), buying a good percentage of supplies on flat price, were leaders at 296c/kg (106.6p/lb).

An average of 299c/kg (107.5p/lb) was paid for R4L heifers. Kepak were leaders at 309c/kg (110p/lb), Jennings paying 304c/kg and Euro, Donegal Meats, Dawn (Waterford) and Slaney (Bunclody) all paying 302c/kg (108p/lb).

The average for O3 heifers was 284c/kg (101.6p/lb) down 6c/kg (2p/lb).

In contrast to the trend in prime beef prices, cow prices remained very strong with Donegal Meats the strongest contenders on price at 277c/kg (99p/lb) for R grade cows and 264c/kg (94p/lb) for O grade. AIBP (Clones) paid the highest price for P grade cows at 253c/kg (90p/lb).

Intake figures show from a total kill of 33,009 head, which was 1,500 less than the previous week, but 1,800 more than the same week in 2006, bullocks lower by 2,300 at 15,445, heifers losing 400 at 8,174 and cows up 600 at 6,563.