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.

Donegal Meats Products paid an average of over 106p/lb for R4L bullocks with AIBP at Clones; Exel at Kilbeggan; Moyvalley Meats, Co Kildare; Euro Farm Foods at Duleek and Kepak at Clonee all paying between 105.1p/lb and 105p/lb average. At AIBP Group, R4L bullocks cost an average of almost 1p/lb less at Waterford and 0.5p/lb less at Nenagh.

Prices were steady at Bandon (102.7p/lb); Rathkeale (104.3p/lb) and Cahir (103.2p/lb). At the Dawn Group, the average was slightly weaker at Rathdowney (103.6p/lb) and unchanged at Waterford and Charleville.

The highest factory average for O4L bullocks was 104p/lb at Jennings of Ballinrobe.

Kepak at Clonee paid over 107p/lb average for R4L heifers and Donegal Meats Products paid an average of 105.8p/lb. Dawn Meats, Ballaghadereen; Exel; Kilbeggan; Jennings of Ballinrobe; Meadow Meats, Rathdowney, and Kildare Chilling each paid an average of 105.2p/lb. The top price for O4L heifers was 105p/lb at Jennings. Euro Farm Foods at Duleek set a record for cows when they paid an average of almost 97p/lb for R3 grade.