Firmer trade for beef

Marts: Four AIBP factories are among 10 plants countrywide which have increased prices by up to 3c/kg (1p/lb) as the intake at the factories tightens further.

AIBP (Bandon) increased the average prices paid for R4L bullocks in last weeks kill by 3c/kg (1p/lb), while increases of 1c/kg was recorded at the groups plants at Rathkeale, Nenagh and Clones.

Price slipped by 3c/kg (1p/lb) at the Waterford plant — where an average of 286c/kg (102p/lb) was paid — and was back by 2c/kg at the Cahir plant, paying an average of 283c/kg (101.2p/lb).

Dawn Meats Group increased prices by 2c/kg at Ballyhaunis and 1c/kg at Ballaghadereen while prices were unchanged at Midleton, and Rathdowney and back by 1c/kg at Waterford.

Total intake was down by 1,100 head at 32,875 — bullocks lower by 230 head at 16,628 and cows lower by 800 head at 6,698 — the second consecutive week of tighter intake.

The national average for R4L bullocks was stable at 284c/kg (101.3p/lb) and the average for R4L heifers was improved by 1c/kg at 290c/kg (103.6p/lb).

Donegal Meats paid the leading prices for R4L bullocks at 289c/kg (103p/lb) with Euro Foods at 287c/kg, Ashbourne, Jennings, Liffeys (Hacketstown), and AIBP (Waterford) at 286c/kg (102p/lb).

Kepak (Clonee) paid an average of 299c/kg (107p/lb) for R4L heifers, with Dawn (Waterford) at 297c/kg and Slaney (Bunclody) 286c/kg, AIBP (Nenagh) and Euro Foods 294c/kg,

Overall average for O4L bullocks was unchanged at 271c/kg (97p/lb) and increased by 3c/kg (1p/lb) for O3 heifers at 276c/kg (98.5p/lb).

Prices for O/P grade cows were maintained. Dawn (Waterford) paid the highest average for O4 grade at 244c/kg (87.3p/lb) and Dunbia (Slane) were tops for P+4L grade at 239c/kg (85.3p/lb).

R grade cows slipped to 252c/kg (90p/lb) as Euro Food replaced Ashbourne Meats as price leader, the latter slipping to 241c/kg (86p/lb).