Poorer grades hit by lower prices

Marts: Prices for O grade bullocks fared worst at the factories, dropping up to 2p/lb, as the slide in prices continued last week with lower returns to producers for all grades.

The poorer quality, O3 grade bullocks, dropped to an average of less than 94p/lb, according to the farmer paysheet returns for the week, while the average price paid by the processors for O3 grade heifers fell to 93p/lb.

A widening of the margin between prices paid for R and O grade cattle has added to the sharper fall in prices for poorer quality carcasses.