High demand for cattle at factories

Marts: Such has been the demand for cattle at the factories over the past week that an increase of over 4,000 in the supply of bullocks failed to deter the average price gaining a further 1 cent/kg — the third consecutive week of price gains.

A surge in the supply of stock to the factories last week, increased total intake to 33,688 head, up by 6,100 on the previous week and 3,500 more than the same week last year. The supply of heifers was up by 1,200 and there was 600 more cows supplied.

Overall the average paid for R4L bullocks increased by 1 cent/kg to 287 cents/kg (102.5p/lb), while R4L heifers were marginally lower at an average of 291 cents/kg (104p/lb). Euro Foods (Duleek) paid an average of 291 cents/kg (104p/lb) for R4L bullocks, while Donegal, Dunbia, Jennings, AIBP (Waterford) and Slaney (Bunclody) all paid 289-290 cents/kg (over 103p/lb). Only five of the 28 factories assessed paid less than 286 cents/kg (102p/lb)

The factory pay sheet returns show Dawn (Waterford) paid an average of 301 cents/kg (107.7p/lb) for R4L heifers, Kepak (Clonee and Euro Foods at 298 cents/kg, Meadow Meats at 297 cents/kg and Slaney (Bunclody) and AIBP (Waterford) paying an average of 295 cents/kg (over 105p/lb) as the under age heifers continue to be in strong demand at the processors.

Prices for O grade averaged 275 cents/kg (98.4p/lb) for R4L bullocks and 276 cents/kg (98.7p/lb) for O3 heifers, the bullocks making a gain of 1 cent/kg and the heifers losing 1 cent/kg on the last week.

The trade for cows continued stable. The returns show Ashbourne Meats (Roscrea) paid an average of 262 cents/kg (93.6p/lb) for R5 cows. Kepak (Clonee) and Moyvalley Meats paid an average of 239 cents/kg (85.3p/lb) for O4-O5 and P+4L averaged 237 cents/kg (84.6p/lb) at Kildare Chilling. Some factories paid back to 215 cents/kg (76.8p/lb) for O grade and down to 212 cents/kg (75.7p/lb) for P grade cows.