Average prices remain stable at marts

Marts: Average prices at the factories have remained stable for the second consecutive week with neither the processors nor producers prepared to concede to a cent more or less for beef.

On a regional basis stronger prices continued to be achieved in the upper half of the country with a difference of 3-6c/kg (1p-2p/lb) in the returns being achieved for similar grade animals - a price difference which has also remained stable over the past two weeks.

A slight tightening in the supply of bullocks to the factories last week helped to underpin the prices. Processors are reluctant to concede higher prices and producers resist any cut.

The average for R4L bullocks was 105p/lb for last week with similar grade heifers making an average of 105.6p/lb. Donegal Meats paid the highest factory average for bullocks at 107.7p/lb, followed by Euro Farm Foods, Newgrange Meats, Jennings, and AIBP (Clones) all paying between 106p/lb and 106.5p/lb.

With the exception of the factory at Clones, all AIBP centres paid averages less than the national average (105p/lb) with the lowest price in the group a shade under 104p/lb average for R4L bullocks at Bandon.

Dawn Group and Kepak Group both paid averages of just under 105p/lb. The national average for O4L bullocks was 102.4p/lb.

Heifer prices were largely similar to the bullocks at a national average of 105.6p/lb for R4L, but the bonus for premium price stock at Kepak, Clonee pushed the average for the factory to 109p/lb.

Cow prices showed gains of a few cent with a top price of 95p/lb for R4H grade at Euro Farm Foods, Duleek. Dan Meats, Ballyhaunis paid 91p/lb for O5 and Dawn and Euro were neck in neck at the top for P grade at an average of 89p/lb for P+4.