Factory prices remain stable
The benchmark of 100p/lb for R grade animals was fully maintained as the average price with no gains for the week, while the intake of cattle at the processing centres fell by almost 4,000 head, due almost entirely to the decline in the supply of bullocks to 16,744 head.
Most factories paid an average of 100p/lb for R4L bullocks - give or take a fraction - and only slightly more for heifers.
The margin between average and the highest individual factory average narrowed with a top price for 101.5p/lb for R4L bullocks at Donegal Meats, Slaney Meats at Bunclody and Moyvalley Meats, Co Kildare paying an average of 100.4p/lb.
Most other factories came in on 100p/lb or a fraction under.
The major players in the beef sector - AIBP Group, Dawn Group and Kepak Group - all paid a shade under 100p/lb average.
The average for O4L bullocks was 97.6p/lb with a top price of 99p/lb paid at AIBP at Bandon.
The average for R4L heifers was 100.5p/lb.
A top price of 105p/lb was paid by Kepak at Clonee.
Four more factories paid averages between 101p/lb and 102p/lb. They were AIBP factories at Bandon and Waterford, Slaney Meats at Bunclody and Dawn Meats at Waterford.
The top price for O4L heifers was 97.4p/lb. Kepak at Clonee paid the highest individual factory average at 100p/lb.
Price for cull cows showed improvements of 2p/lb.
The top price paid was an average of 88p/lb for R4L cows at Euro Farm Foods at Duleek.
Exel paid an average of 84p/lb for O4L and Euro was tops for P grade at 84p/lb.
