Rise in cattle prices from tight supply

Marts: An improvement of up to 12% in cattle prices for the first half of the year has been attributed to the tight supply situation and the deficit in beef in the EU markets.

In returns for the first six months, producers received an average of 12% more for bullocks and 10% higher prices for heifers than for the same period in 2003, according to Bord Bia.

Producers were paid an average of 270.4 cents/kg (96.6p/lb) inclusive of VAT for R3 bullocks and heifers, compared to 242 cents/kg (86.5p/lb) for the same period in 2003.