Record 97p/lb paid for cull cows

A record was set for cow prices at almost 97p/lb, while the average price paid for beef remained stable at the factories for the second consecutive week, during which slightly lower prices at some factories was compensated for by a slight improvement at other plants.

Although the kill of bullocks rose by 900 head to 15,203, it is about 3,000 head lower than normal for the end of March.

The national average for R4L bullocks last week was 292 cent/kg (104.4p/lb) with the average paid for R4L heifers almost identical, while the average for O4L bullocks and heifers was 101.7p/lb for bullocks and 101.4p/lb for heifers.