Producers paid 3p/lb more for R4L

MARTS: Producers were paid an average of 3p/lb more for R4L animals by the factories last week, bringing the average price to 100p/lb.

The factory incentive was effective in bringing out more cattle as bullock supplies surged to almost 21,000 head, up by 2,500 on the previous week and 3,000 head higher than last year. Heifer intake at 11,000 was more than 1,000 up, but 1,000 short of the same week in 2004.

The increase has eased the pressure on processors to fill orders in Britain and the continent and made it more difficult for producers to get further improvements this week.