98p/lb for Rs becomes the norm

BEEF cattle prices continued to improve at factories this week, as the trade continued at a pace not been matched for more than a decade.

Prices edged upwards by 3 cent/kg (1p/lb) at a number of factories, with the supply of bullocks on the decline as the trade moved into one of the most critical stages of the year, the gap between the end of shed cattle supplies and the first of the beef off the grass.

But there have been clear indications from processors this week that they are feeling the pressure of prices getting too hot, and looking at their options. Most of the processors have reduced their killing days, easing the pressure to maintain supplies. It is understood that a number of the factories have decided not to follow the prices any further upwards, and their procurement managers have been told if that they can't get the cattle, then leave them, but they are not to pay more than the quoted prices.