Battle for stronger beef price gets under way

AS the battle between producers and processors on beef prices for the Autumn got under way at Abbeyleix last night supplies to the factories are showing signs of slowing down this week.

While the outcome for the week on cattle supplies still has two days kill togo to determine if the throughput at the factories has dropped, the warningshots are being fired by the producers against a continuation of the downward trend in prices.

Falling beef prices for four weeks in succession, which has knocked 40-50/head off finished cattle has been enough to cause concern by producers on the possibility of worse to come, and their message at last night's IFA-convened meeting in Co Laois was enough is enough as they demanded a base of 252 cents/kg (90p/lb) for the Autumn.