Average rise of 2 cent/kg at marts
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.
Processors paid an overall average of 86p/lb for R4L bullocks last week. The highest factory average of 88.5p/lb was paid by Donegal Meats, the only factory to pay over 88p/lb average. A further three factories - AIBP at Nenagh, Euro Farm Foods at Duleek and Exel Meats at Kilbeggan - paid averages between 87p/lb and 88p/lb while 10 factories paid averages of less than 86p/lb. The average for O4L bullocks was just over 82p/lb.
Interestingly there was very little between the average paid at factories killing only underage cattle and factories taking both under- and overage, which suggests dealing with the factories on discounting for overage.
The average for R4L heifers was 87p/lb. Almost 100p/lb was paid at Kepak, Clonee. Slaney Meats, Bunclody paid an average of just under 92p/lb and AIBP at Nenagh 89p/lb. Between 88p/lb and 89p/lb was paid at Euro Farm Foods, Donegal Meats, Exel Meats at Kilbeggan and Newgrange Meats at Navan. The average for O4L heifers was 83p/lb.
Cull cow prices rose by an average of 3 cent/kg (1p/lb). Top price of 81p/lb was paid by Euro Farm Foods for R grade. Kepak at Clonee were the best for O grade at 74p/lb and the highest price for P grade was paid by Exel Meats, Kilbeggan at 71p/lb.
