Supply tightens as prices rise 3c/kg

Marts: There have been further gains in beef prices at the factories as the supply tightens and processors come under more pressure to get cattle to supply orders.

The average price for R4L bullocks and heifers increased by 3c/kg (1p/lb), with O grade returns stronger by a similar margin as competition for cattle tightened.

Analysis of the returns show that the increase was mainly paid by the middle price range factories, with the top price down by 1c/kg for R4L bullocks and by 2c/kg for O4L bullocks, suggesting that processors are anxious to put a ceiling on the level to which the trade for bullocks rises. The top prices for heifers did show gains of 4c/kg for R4L and 2c/kg for O3 grade.

The price changes came against a background of a total kill which dropped to 28,480 head, of which bullocks accounted for 11,502 (down 900 head) and the supply of heifers was steady at 7,147.

Donegal Meats paid the highest price for U grade bullocks at 357c/kg (127.6p/lb), while Donegal and Euro Foods were the leaders for R4L bullocks at 351c/kg (125.3p/lb) against a national average which increased to 346c/kg (123.6p/lb). Moyvalley Meats, AIBP (Rathkeale and Nenagh)and Kepak (Clonee) each paid 348c/kg.

An average of 335c/kg (119.8p/lb) was paid for O4L bullocks. The highest factory price was 341c/kg (122p/lb) at Donegal Meats and Euro Foods.

Heifer prices held a slight lead on bullocks. Dawn (Midleton) and Kepak (Clonee) each paid an average of 358c/kg (128p/lb) for U grade heifers. The highest R4L price was 355c/kg (127p/lb) at Dawn (Waterford), ahead of Kepak (Clonee), Moyvalley, Euro Foods, and Ashbourne Meats. The national average for R4L heifers was 348c/kg (124.5p/lb).

Cow prices held their strength with a top price of 315c/kg (112.7p/lb) for R grade cows at Liffeys. Moyvalley Meats paid the highest for O grade cows at 307c/kg (109.5p/lb) and Liffeys were strongest for P grade at 304c/kg (108.4p/lb).