Prices for beef animals stay steady

Prices for quality beef animals were steady at the factories yesterday, but quotes for the poorer graders were weaker by up to 2p/lb at some factories in the midlands.

For the first time this year, the supply of cattle to factories last week moved ahead of the same week in 2003, although the kill for the week was just lower than the previous week with a throughput of 32,340 head of which bullocks accounted for 17,945. The overall kill for the week was back by 300 head and bullocks dropped by 145 head. Week-on-week with 2003, bullocks are 3,000 head higher and the total kill is up 6,000 head. So far this year bullocks are down more than 7% and the total kill is down over 6%.

Yesterday the factories quoted 263-258 cents/kg (94p-92p/lb) for R's and 255-252 cents/kg (91p-90p/lb) for O's. A considerable percentage of the kill was being purchased at 92p-93p/lb for R's and it was harder to get over 94p/lb for quality cattle.