Qualifying premia date fast approaching
Bullocks with a premia available are continuing to sell for up to €300 over €/kg with a little more being paid for choice lots, but there are purchasers paying up to €500 over €/kg for bullocks with clean ears, with the obvious intention of getting the last benefits out of the Special Beef Premia Scheme before it ends on December 31.
It is very important to keep in mind that the second SBP - at 21 months - cannot be applied for on any bullock born after April 30, 2003 before the end of the scheme. A clean ears bullock born from May 1, 2003 to May 30, 2004 is only eligible for one Beef Premia. If as in the case of most weanlings, he has not been castrated, it is more beneficial to apply for the bull premia which is worth €60/head more than the nine months SBP.
Male calves born from June 1, 2004 are not eligible for any premia payments. Prices for calves born since the cut-off date for the premia have shown a drop of €80-€150/head, with some continental calves showing a drop of up to €200/head.
In the marts demand has continued very strong this week for punched out bullocks, despite the lower prices being paid for beef in the factories. Double punched bullocks made up to €235 over €/kg at Fermoy Mart yesterday. They were a little easier, at up to €160 over being paid, at Kanturk Mart. Athenry Mart had the highest price of the day with €300 over for heavy continental punched out bullocks. This price was topped at Kilmallock on Monday where €330 over was paid for the tops of the bullocks without a premia, while Dungarvan recorded €230 over €/kg.
