Producers resist reducing quotes as stock carryover buoys prices

Marts: Resistance from producers to the lower prices being quoted by the factories for cattle and a carryover of stock bought forward at higher prices sustained prices at an average of at least 6c/kg (2p/lb) over the quoted rates last week.

Despite a sharp increase of 2,500 head in the supply of bullocks the average paid by the processors for bullocks and heifers held within 1c-2c/kg of the previous week with the heifers stretching their lead over the bullocks to 4c/kg.

The factories paid an average of 291c/kg (104p/lb) for R4L bullocks and 295c/kg (105.5p/lb) for R4L heifers, which was up to 6c/kg (2p/lb) above the quoted prices at most of the factories.

AIBP Group paid an average of 292c/kg (104.3p/lb) for R4L bullocks, paying an average of 296c/kg (almost 106p/lb) at the Waterford plant — the top price in the country for the grade last week — and slightly above the average at the Nenagh and Clones plants, while prices paid at the other centres fell to average or just under.

Prices for the Kepak Group were in line with the national average at 291c/kg and 1c/kg under average at the Dawn Group, where an average of 290c/kg (103.5p/lb) was paid.

Euro Foods (Duleek), Dunbia Newgrange (Navan), Donegal Meats, and Jennings (Ballinrobe) each paid 294/295c/kg (over 105p/lb).

Prices for O4L bullocks held at 280c/kg (100p/lb).

The highest prices for R4L heifers was 307c/kg (109.5p/lb) at Kepak (Clonee).

Euro Foods, Kepak (Dunbeggan) and AIBP (Waterford) paid 299-302c/kg (over 107p/lb) slightly stronger than Donegal Meats, Dawn (Waterford) and AIBP (Clones).

An average of 282c/kg (100.6p/lb) was paid nationally for O3 heifers.

Donegal Meats were the leaders on R/O grade cows paying 279c/kg (99.7p/lb) for the Rs and 256c/kg (91p/lb) for Os.

An average of 244 cents/kg (87p/lb) was paid for P grade cows at Dawn (Ballyhaunis), and Kepak (Clonee and Kilbeggan).