Wide variations in cattle grading at factories

WIDE variations in the scale of cattle slaughtered in meat factories qualifying for the better grades has been confirmed in official results, which has shown Munster livestock owners faring the worst in the country.

Of the country’s top 15 meat factories, with the higher percentage of bullocks grading R, none were in the Munster region.

Of the 15 factories with the lowest percentage of R grade bullocks over a three month period, 12 were Munster-based.

Variations in the percentage of bullocks qualifying for R3 - R4L and R4H grades ranged widely from 59% at one factory to 19% at another.

Correspondingly of the 15 factories with the highest percentages of O grade bullocks, 10 were in the Munster area, but of the 15 with the lowest percentage of O grade bullocks 13 were outside of the Munster area.

The variation in the percentage of cattle going through the factories and grading O3, O4L and O4H ranged from 64% at one factory to 22% at another.

The figures compiled by the Department of Agriculture were taken from January 1st to March 31 2002.

They were based on the result of the Beef Classification (grading) carried out at each factory by the Department of Agriculture and included all factories slaughtering bullocks in this period.

Nationally only 3.2% of the carcasses getting into the prime U grades amounted to 3% with R3 carcasses at 7.6%, R4L animals at 17% and R4H amounting to 13%.

In O grades, 9% qualified for O3, 21 per cent were O4L, and 12% O4H. For the combination of R3, R4L and R4H grades Dawn Meats at Ballaghadereen had the highest percentage at 59% of bullocks slaughtered.

They were followed by Carrigans of Donegal Meats at a fraction under 59%, AIBP, Longford at 55%, Kepak at Athleague at 52%, Slaney Meats at 51%, Dawn, Ballyhaunis at 49%, Moyvalley Meats, Kildare and Meadow Meats, Rathdowney 46% and AIBP, Clones at 45%. The lowest percentage was 19% at one Munster factory.