Big increase in bookings at factories

Marts: Cattle supplies to the factories have increased sharply, with heavy bookings at processors across the country yesterday putting pressure on further increases in prices for the Christmas trade.

Prices held steady at last week’s level for yesterday’s kill, but some factories are expected to review their prices to-day as supplies build up. Up to 249 cents/kg (89p/lb) was on offer for R grade animals under 30 months - not much more to be got in the south or east - while several of the factories were offering 246 cents/kg (88p/lb) to producers yesterday. Prices for O grade young stock are on 238-235 cents/kg (85p-84p/lb).

Farmers were having difficulty in making contact with some factory buyers yesterday after they switched off their mobile phones or routed the calls through to the offices after a flood of early morning bookings practically filled their requirements for the week.