Stronger supply — higher prices

Marts: A majority of the beef factories paid more for beef — despite a strong increase in the supply — for last week’s kill, underpinning confidence in a stable trade.

Half of the beef plants paid 1-3c/kg (up to 1p/lb) more for R4L bullocks, while the supply hit a seasonal peak at more than 19,000 head, an increase of 2,400 head on the previous week.

Heifer intake was marginally lower at 7,577 head and cows unchanged at 6,856 head out of a total kill of 35,305 head.

Half the factories paid 285c/kg (102p/lb) for R4L bullocks — the national average was marginally less at 284c/kg — and a top price of 289c/kg (103.3p/lb) was paid by Donegal Meats.

Dunbia (Navan) paid an average of 288c/kg and at 287c/kg (102.5p/lb) was AIBP (Waterford) Moyvalley Meats (Kildare) and Euro Foods (Duleek).

The average for O4L bullocks was 1c/kg stronger at 272c/kg (97.3p/lb)

Of the major processors, AIBP Group is proving to be the strongest paying a group average of 285c/kg (almost 102p/lb) beating the national average after a rise of 1c/kg. Dawn Group average was unchanged at 282c/kg (100.8p/lb) coming in below the national average as Kepak Group came closer to the national mean at 283c/kg (101p/lb) after a rise of 2c/kg.

The average for R4L heifers was up 1c/kg at 291c/kg (104p/lb) with a top price of 301c/kg (107.6p/lb) paid by Kepak (Clonee) followed by Euro Foods (Duleek) at 297c/kg (106.2p/lb). AIBP (Waterford and Nenagh); Dawn (Waterford); Slaney Meats (Bunclody), and Liffeys (Ballyjamesduff) all paid 294c/kg (105p/lb) or marginally higher.

The national mean paid for O3 heifers was down 1c/kg at 275c/kg (98.3p/lb).

Ashbourne Meats (Roscrea) paid an average of 262c/kg (93.4p/lb) for R4L cows, just clear of Donegal Meats and Euro Farm Foods. Dawn (Waterford) paid 240c/kg (86p/lb) for O5 grade and AIBP (Clones) and Kildare Chilling paid 238c/kg (85p/lb) for P grade cows.