New graders least of sellers’ worries

WITH beef prices continuing to slide at the factories, farmers were less likely to ‘wait and see’ how the current changeover in cattle grading went. Holding back their cattle could cost them if the price trend continues.

Early on Tuesday, most farmers were reasonably happy with the grading results, as factory personnel moved in to take over the job previously done by Department of Agriculture Classification Officers, who are now only monitoring the operation.

Farmers were more worried by the further reduction in quoted prices this week, amounting to at least 1p/lb less for beef and in some cases up to 2p/lb being pared off last week’s prices, which the factories now find easier to get away with the supply of cattle having increased.