Beef heifer prices remain strong

Beef heifers stayed firm at the factories, with improved prices for quality stock, in last week’s kill at the processing centres, while bullock prices were generally easier.

Factory pay-sheet returns showed the average for R3 heifers was improved by up to 1p/lb, but the average for O3 grade was slightly less than the previous week. Prices for R3 bullocks was weaker by 0.5p/lb on average with the average for O3 bullocks back by upto 1p/lb.

The larger processing groups are a good barometer of the trade and all three paid lower average prices last week for R3 bullocks. Dawn plants were down an average of 1p/lb, with AIBP and Kepak Group both paying around 0.5p/lb less than the previous week.