National average prices unchanged

Marts: Although a number of factories paid up to 0.5p/lb more for R3 bullocks, the national average was unchanged last week for the first time in several weeks.

Nevertheless up to 10 processing centres paid over 99p/lb average for their requirement of R3 bullocks during the week and three factories paid 100p/lb or better with a top price of 101.4p/lb remaining unchanged from the previous week.

Heifer prices were slightly stronger than the previous week, but the most noticeable feature for the week was a general strengthening in the prices paid for O grade bullocks and heifers with an average rise of slightly more than 1p/lb for O3 heifers and under 1p/lb more for O3 bullocks.