Bullock prices easing slightly

Marts - The average price for heifers was 3 cents/kg (1p/lb) ahead of bullocks at the factories last week as bullock prices eased back very slightly compared to the previous week.

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.