Beef price crash crisis looms
Official farmer pay-sheet returns from the factories issued by the Department of Agriculture yesterday confirmed that the physiological benchmark of 252 cents/kg (90p/lb) for R grade bullocks has been breached. The return showed a factory average for R4L bullocks of 89p/lb the lowest paid since 2004.
The national average for bullocks and heifers fell by a further 2p/lb - individual factories showing higher reductions - and overall very few factories paying more than the quoted prices.
The national average for R4L bullocks and heifers was 92p/lb and 88p/lb for O4L grade. Of the better paying factories AIBP at Clones and Nenagh, Euro Foods, Duleek paid an average of 93p/lb. There was a fraction more at Donegal Meats. The average at Kepak (Watergrasshill) of almost 95p/lb included some KK Club premium priced supplies and is not reflective of the general price paid. The same applies to the average of almost 105p/lb for R4L heifers at the Kepak plant at Clonee. Best prices for R4L heifers was 94p/lb average at AIBP, Nenagh, Donegal Meats and Meadow Meats, Rathdowney.
The bullock kill was 14,028 head compared to 16,767 head the same week last year. The supply of heifers was 6,164 head compared to 6,630 head in 2004.
Cull cow prices dropped up to 3p/lb - quality cows losing 1p/lb. The top price for R4L cull cows was 80p/lb paid by Euro Foods. Kepak at Clonee paid the highest average for O4H at 74p/lb and Ashbourne Meats, Roscrea paid 73p/lb average for P+4L.
