Beef prices remaining steady at the factories
The breakdown of the official pay sheet prices issued by the Department of Agriculture yesterday showed an average increase of about one cent/kg (less than 0.5p/lb) for bullocks and heifers while the cow prices were slightly lower for most grades.
Within factory groups there were small variations in the average prices paid at the different plants for the same category and grade of cattle and poor prices for some categories at individual factories.
One factory up-country paid an average of 202 cents/kg (79p/lb) for R3 grade heifers by far the lowest average factory price in the country and a variation of up to 36 cents/kg (13p/lb) was revealed between factories for the same category of cows.
The highest factory average for R3 bullocks was 244 cents/kg (87p/lb) paid by Carrigans of Donegal, followed by Slaney Meats, Bunclody, Excel at Kilbeggan, Bergins of Kildare, Newgrange Meats at Navan, and the Dawn plants at Midleton and Waterford all paying over the average for the category of 234 cents/kg (84p/lb) which was the generally quoted price for the week.
The best available for O3 grade bullocks was an average of 238 cents/kg (85p/lb) at Dawn Meats, Waterford ahead of Carrigans, Duffys of Gort and Fair Oak at Bagenalstown all of whom were well ahead of the overall average of 228 cents/kg (81p/lb).
The leading price for R3 heifers was an excellent 253 cents/kg (90p/lb) at AIBP, Waterford just ahead of Kepak, Clonee and Watergrasshill. The average for R3 heifers was 237 cents/kg (84.6p/lb). One factory paid an average of 202 cents/kg (72p/lb) exposing a difference of 50 cents/kg (18p/lb) between the best and worst prices paid.
The top price for O3 heifers was 236 cents/kg (84p/lb) at Meadow Meats, Rathdowney. The average was 224 cents/kg (80p/lb) and the lowest factory average was 214 cents/kg 77p/lb).
