Lack of interest in bullocks and heifers affects morale in trade
Apart from the further reduction in prices quoted for beef for the week from the factories yesterday, there is a noticeable lack of interest in bullocks and heifers from factories, which is affecting morale in the trade.
Some producers are arguing that this is another ploy by factories to break farmers’ confidence and make them accept lower prices.
It did not appear to be a big problem at most factories yesterday, where procurement managers reported getting more cattle than they wanted.
Word around the industry was that supply needs for the week were light.
There was an improvement in prices of up to 6c/kg for the heavy cows.
As for bullocks and heifers, nearly all factories are now on a base line of 235c/kg for R-grade and some quoted producers 232c/kg yesterday.
There was 227c/kg on offer for O-grade, while most factories have reduced prices to 224c/kg opening up a difference of 11c/kg, or double the previous norm between R and O-grade.
There is up to 168c/kg for the good cows this week, with prices ranging back to 156c/kg and demand is good.
In the marts, there were signs of an easing back in store prices yesterday.
Demand was good at Doyle of Blessington, but prices for the heavy bullocks were back 3-4/head.
There was an increase in bullock numbers at Bandon Mart, where prices were marginally easier also.
Dungarvan Mart had good trade, with bullocks up by 10-15/head and single punched bullocks making up to 420/kg.
The trade for heifers was steady at Dungarvan and improved for the quality continental stock at Bandon, where the entry was also up on last week.
