Farmers and factories stand off on price

Farmers held the balance with the factories, each side holding out in “stand off” on the issue of price yesterday as they took up their opposing positions on the way forward for the trade.

Supplies of cattle to the factories were very light, as the processors tried to hold the line on a base price for R4L of 270 cents/kg (96p/lb) and the producers held out by demanding a base price of 280 cents/kg (100p/lb).

While there appeared to be no panic for cattle among the processors, some of the factories had requirements for fresh supplies and paid 3-6 cents/kg (1-2p/lb) over the base to secure supplies.