Average rise of 2 cent/kg at marts

Marts: Although the supply of cattle dropped sharply, the average improvement in price achieved was limited to an average of 2 cent/kg (less than 1p/lb) last week.

However, the stronger impact of the decline in young cattle numbers is expected to be seen in the price returns for this week as the drop in intake puts more pressure on the processors to increase prices.

There was a drop of over 3,400 head in the bullock supply to the factories last week at 17,109 head out of a total kill of 34,934 head compared to 38,450 the previous week.