Increase in supply fails to halt price rise
There was a gain of 1-2c/kg in the average paid by the processors with increases of up to 5c/kg in the average paid by individual factories at the upper end of the price league, indicating that factories were willing to concede to paying more to keep up the intake.
Bullock supplies rose by a further 1,000 head to over 18,000 - the highest year to date and the highest for corresponding weeks since 2003 - out of a total throughput of almost 34,500 head. They are now running at 3,000 head per week more than this time last year.
The supply of heifers increased by a further 500 head to over 9,100 which is more than 3,000 head higher than the same week in 2005.
The top price paid was a shade under 111p/lb for U3 at Donegal Meats. The average for R4L bullocks increased to just over 107p/lb. Donegal Meats topped at over 109p/lb. Five more paid over 108p/lb, Euro, Kepak (Athleague), Dawn (Ballaghadereen), and Newgrange.
Group averages for the major players were not in the top league and showed wide variation in the prices from one area to another for similar grade animals. AIBP Group average of 106.4p/lb varied from an average of 107.7p/lb at the Clones plant, to 105.5p/lb at Rathkeale.
Average for the Dawn Group was 106.8p/lb, with the price spread from over 108p/lb at Ballaghadereen, to 105p/lb at Charleville.
Kepak group average was just on the national average at 107.1p/lb.
National average for O4L bullocks was 105p/lb with individual factories paying up to 108p/lb. Heifer prices mirrored the bullocks at a national average of 107.3p/lb for R4L.
Ashbourne Meats (Roscrea) paid the highest for cows at over 97p/lb for R5. Liffey Meats paid over 94p/lb for O4H and Kepak (Clonee) paid almost 94p/lb for P+4L.
