Out of the houses, into weak trade

WEAKER export markets have been blamed for more pressure on beef prices at the factories this week, after orders for the Easter trade were filled.

Supplies of cattle to the factories have continued to increase and some producers were annoyed this week by the difficulty in booking cattle in for slaughter.

Into the second half of the month and with an overdue census date on their minds, a lot of finishers were anxious to get their houses emptied, and did not welcome the shorter working week and likely reduction in kill.