Factory beef prices up by 2p/lb
A number of processors paid an average of more than 88p/lb for R grade bullocks with the best paying factories returning even more for heifers, as the build up to the filling of the Christmas orders got under way.
The overall average increase of 1p/lb for bullocks and more than 1.5p/lb for heifers masked the real change in prices for the under 30 months animals, because of the percentage of lower priced over age cattle in the kill 39,313 for the week bringing down the average. Prices did reach the target of 90p/lb average for R bullocks at Carrigans of Donegal Meats and up to 91p/lb for R heifers at Kepak, Clonee - the only processors paying at that level.
Prices averaged 87p/lb for R3 bullocks within the range of 90p/lb at the top to the lowest paying factory which averaged 85p/lb. Averages of 88p/lb or better were paid by Exel at Kilbeggan, Dawn Meats, Midleton, Slaney Meats, at Bunclody, and AIBP at Waterford.
The average paid for O3 bullocks was just under 83p/lb. The major beef processing groups all paid for supplies with some variations between factories within the groups. The average R3 bullock price rose by at least 2p/lb at AIBP factories at Waterford and Nenagh and slightly less at Clones and Cahir. R3 heifers averaged 87.6p/lb within the range of over 91p/lb at Kepak, Clonee to the lowest average of 84p/lb. Meadow Meats, Rathdowney, and Newgrange Meats, Navan paid over 89p/lb with several processors paying over 88p/lb. The average for O3 heifers was a shade under 83p/lb.
Cull cow prices continued strong. Meadow Meats paid the highest average for R grade at 70p/lb for R5. Fair Oak, Clonmel paid an average of over 68p/lb for O5 grade and Liffey Meats paid an average of 63p/lb for P+4H grade.
