Prices for cows and bullocks remain stable
The average price paid for bullocks remained firm, while cow prices were also stable.
There was obviously an element of premium price young heifer beef in the kill much more pronounced at some factories than others which would have influenced the overall average price of 88p/lb for R3. The emphasis on quality young beef was underlined with a difference of 7p/lb opening up between R3 and O3 grades, the latter coming in at a weak average of 81p/lb. However, the number of factories that paid an average of more than 88p/lb for their kill of R3 animals reflected a buoyancy in the heifer trade.
AIBP at Waterford topped the league, paying an average of 99p/lb for R3 heifers. Meadow Meats paid an average of 93.6p/lb, Kepak at Clonee, and AIBP at Nenagh both over 91p/lb average; Liffey Meats at Ballyjamesduff over 89p/lb and Carrigans of Donegal and Dawn Meats at Midleton, both over 88p/lb.
In contrast, nearly two-thirds of the factories bought their supply of O3 heifers for an average of less than 81p/lb and four factories paid an average of less than 80p/lb.
Bullock prices were practically unchanged for R3 grade at 86p/lb average within half cent/kg of the previous week with the top average of 91p/lb paid by Carrigans. There were very few R3 bullocks bought for less than 85p/lb and half the factories paid 86p/lb or better. Carrigans, Liffey Meats, Dawn Meats, Waterford, Exel Meats, Newgrange Meats, Kepak at Clonee, and AIBP at Nenagh were all in the top seven-paying factories. The average for O3 bullocks was 82p/lb. Moyvalley Meats, Co Kildare, paid the top price of 69p/lb for cows (R4L) with Liffey Meats paying the highest price for O and P grades at 68p/lb and 65p/lb.
Martin Ryan
