Supply of cattle to factories strong

Marts: The supply of cattle to the factories was slightly stronger, but the producers were strongly resisting any attempts by the processors to use this measure as a means of bringing about a weakening in prices on offer yesterday.

The second of three short working weeks for the factories, coupled with more cattle on the move appeared to be the right mix for the processors to take the shine off the trade. There was some weakening on the prices in the south of the country where bookings were strongest, but moving east, across the midlands or into the north west it was proving difficult for the factories to buy cheaper cattle.

Quoted prices are unchanged at a base line of 286 cent/kg (102p/lb) for R4L.