Beef showing gains
The processors paid an average of almost 293 cents/kg (104.6p/lb) for R4 bullocks and heifers and over 102p/lb average for O4 grade, all categories showing slight gains on the previous week.
Throughput was up to 20% higher than average for the first week of January at a total kill of 30,767 head. There was a bullock supply of 13,110 head and 9,134 heifers, both substantially higher than the same week last year or the average weekly kill for early January.
The top individual factory average for R4L bullocks was 106p/lb at Donegal Meats. AIBP at Clones, Euro Farm Foods, Duleek, Dawn Meats at Ballaghadereen all paid 105p/lb and almost all the other operating plants paid averages of over 104p/lb.
The highest factory average for R4L heifers was over 106p/lb at Kepak, Clonee. Donegal Meats paid an average of just under 106p/lb and AIBP at Rathkeale, Slaney Meats and Kildare Chilling each paid an average of 105.4p/lb. The average for O3 heifers was 102p/lb with a top price of 104p/lb at Jennings of Ballinrobe and 103p/lb or better at Dawn Meats, Ballaghadereen, Ashbourne Meats, Roscrea, and Euro Farm Foods, Duleek.
Neighbouring processors Euro Farm Foods and Exel Meats at Kilbeggan led on cull cow prices with plenty of competition for the good cows in particular. Euro paid an average of 96p/lb for cows grading R. Exel paid an average of almost 92p/lb for O4L grade and over 89p/lb for P+3 grade. Meadow Meats, Rathdowney, Kepak, Clonee, Moyvalley Meats, Co Kildare, Duffy’s of Gort, AIBP, Clones and Dawn Meats Ballyhaunis were also among the strong contenders.
