Bullock prices easing slightly
The effect of the increase of 2,200 head in bullock supplies was to move pay out prices at the factories a fraction closer to the quoted prices for the week at an average of 86.6p/lb for R3, slipping to 1p/lb under the average for R3 heifers at 87.6p/lb as prices for heifers remained stable.
More than half of the processors paid an average of 87p/lb plus for their supply of R3 bullocks for the week, with five factories paying an average of 88p/lb or more. They were Carrigans of Donegal leading at an average of 91.6p/lb, Dawn Meats at Ballaghadereen, Newgrange Meats at Navan, Liffey Meats at Ballyjamesduff and Exel Meats at Kilbeggan.
A good barometer of the trade is the analysis of prices paid by the major factory groups. The AIBP Group, Dawn Meats Group and Kepak Group all paid less for R3 bullocks, with each group buying their requirements for an average of around 0.5p/lb less than the previous week. There were some variations in the amount of reduction at individual factories within each of the groups.
The mix of under 12 months animals - costing at least 100p/lb - in the kill at some factories is leading to a lack of transparency in the price being paid for commercial cattle with high average prices showing for these factories.
AIBP at Bandon returned the highest average for R3 heifers at 96p/lb with Exel and Carrigans paying an average of over 91p/lb. Several of the factories paid an average of 88p/lb or better, including Kepak, at Clonee, Dawn Meats, Middleton, Newgrange Meats at Navan and Liffey Meats at Ballyjamesduff.
Prices for cull cows have stabilised with 70p/lb being topped by Liffey Meats for R4H grade. Liffeys paid 69.8p/lb average for O5 grade and Dawn Meats, Ballyhaunis paid the highest average for P grade at 65.6p/lb for P+4L.
Martin Ryan
