9c per kg price range from north to south

BEEF prices have remained stable and firm, strengthening slightly in areas where supplies are at their tightest, mainly in the northern counties.

A considerable range if prices is offered to farmers from north to south, which is widening as more pressure comes on northern processors to pay higher prices to get sufficient cattle.

Factories in the south generally quoted 289 cents/kg (103p/lb) for R grade animals this week with 3 cents/kg (1p/lb) more on offer in the east and 294 cents/kg (105p/lb) on offer in the midland with a further 3 cents/kg (1p/lb) being offered in the north west.