Grass may be profitable feed for beef

A DROP in the supply of cattle to the factories has led to a slight hardening in beef prices on offer this week, particularly for the better quality cattle, which processors are finding it harder to get in large numbers.

Throughput at the factories was low last week, following the national holiday on Monday, and fine weather has turned farmers thoughts from selling cattle this week, with the improved ground conditions leading to a flurry of slurry spreading and tillage operations.

Most factories in the south quoted unchanged prices, at 224 to 235 cent/kg (80p to 84p/lb) for R and O grades, and buyers showed little interest in getting increased supplies of cattle.