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.

The bullock supply was down by 1,300 head last week. An ease in demand with more plants reducing their kill appeared to have resulted in more factories holding prices close to the previous week. Prices paid by AIBP Group and Dawn Meats Group for R3 bullocks increased by an average of around 0.5p/lb to 98p/lb bringing their averages closer to the national average of 98.4p/lb. Carrigans of Donegal paid an average of 101.4p/lb, ahead of Liffeys of Ballyjamesduff and Duffy's of Gort paying averages of 100.4p/lb and 100p/lb respectively. A further seven factories paid an average of 99p/lb to 99.7p/lb. Exel Meats, Kilbeggan, and Duffy's of Gort paid an average of 98.7p/lb for O3 bullocks.

Carrigans and Kepak at Clonee both paid over 101p/lb for R3 heifers with a further five factories paying an average of 99p/lb or over against a national average of 98.7p/lb. The average for O3 heifers was 95.8p/lb.

Moyvalley Meats, Co Kildare, paid the highest price for cows last week at an average of 86p/lb for R4H. Liffey Meats paid the highest price for O grade at 85p/lb and P grade for which they paid over 84p/lb for P+4H.

Martin Ryan