Beef prices down; cows higher

BEEF prices have dropped by an average of 1c-2c/kg at the factories as the supply of cattle is maintained well above average for August. However, but the actual price paid held 3c-6c/kg (1p-2p/lb) higher than the officially quoted rates by the processors.

Intake increased to almost 35,000 head last week, of which bullocks accounted for 17,728, an increase of 800 on the previous week, and 1,400 head higher than the same week in 2006.

Although the higher intake has contributed to overall downward pressure on prices at the plants prices for bullocks were maintained or marginally stronger at one-in-four of the individual factories, but lower by 3c-4c/kg at one third of the factories.