Beef trade stays steady at factories

Marts: Apart from a top price of almost 110p/lb paid for R grade heifers at one factory, the beef trade at the factories remained steady with only a fractional downward change in the average prices paid to producers for last week.

Kepak at Clonee paid an average of almost 110p/lb for R4L heifers, a price which was aided by the mix of heifers from the producer clubs, at a premium over the base price, included in the kill last week, while an average of 106p/lb was paid by Jennings of Ballinrobe. Slaney Meats at Bunclody and AIBP at Waterford competed strongly for U grade bullocks, matching Donegal Meat Products at an average of 109p/lb.

With the exception of AIBP at Nenagh, the southern factories continued to pay lower than the upper regions of the country for both bullocks and heifers. AIBP at Nenagh paid an average 105.7p/lb for R4L bullocks and an average 105.5p/lb for similar grade heifers.

A national average of 105p/lb was paid for R4L bullocks and R4L heifers average a fraction of p/lb more. Donegal Meat Products and Euro Farm Foods paid averages over 106p/lb, with Moyvalley, AIBP, Nenagh, Kepak, Clonee, Liffey Meats and Exel Meats paying averages of 105.5p/lb to 105.7p/lb. The average for O4L bullocks was 102p/lb, with Jennings of Ballinrobe paying an average 105p/lb.

The top prices for R4L heifers were paid by Kepak, Clonee, Jennings, Meadow Meats, AIBP, Nenagh, Slaney Meats, Dawn Meats, Ballaghadereen and Moyvalley, all paying averages of 105/5p/lb or better. O4L heifers averaged 102p/lb.

Cull cow prices continued strong, topped by Euro farm Food at Duleek at an average 94p/lb for R5. Liffey Meats paid an average 90p/lb for O4H and Euro were best for P grade at 89p/lb.