Top average of 95p/lb is paid for R3 heifers as prices improve
The very strong price was paid at the AIBP-Goodman-plant at Waterford, leading the field on price for heifers in the country last week as heifer prices on average showed an improvement of almost 1p/lb in contrast to the trend of previous weeks.
Another plant within the group AIBP at Cahir paid the highest average for O3 grade heifers at 236c/kg (84.3p/lb).
But the same cannot be said of the prices paid for bullocks, which continued to slip, shaving a further 1p/lb off the average for R grade bullocks which dropped to 236c/kg (84.3p/lb).
Once again differences in prices paid for the same category of animal between factories within the same group ownership has been widespread and very difficult to understand where margins of up to 3p/lb have shown up.
Variations between factories for R3 bullocks within the Dawn and Kepak groups varied by 1p/lb or a little over, with a margin of difference in excess of 3p/lb showing in the AIBP Group ranging from above average at almost 238c/kg (85p/lb) paid at the Clones plant to the lowest average factory price in the country for the same grade at 229c/kg (under 82p/lb) paid at the Rathkeale plant.
Nenagh, Waterford, Cahir and Bandon factories all ranged in-between on price with no two plants coming in at the same average price.
The highest average price paid for R3 bullocks was 245c/kg (88p/lb) atCarrigans of Donegal, usually in the top line, followed by Slaney Meats, Bunclody; Dawn Meats, Midleton; Fair Oak at Bagenalstown; and Honeyclover at Freshford.
The slippage was higher for O3 grade bullocks at 4c/kg (over 1p/lb) with an average of 227c/kg (81p/lb) and the highest average price at Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff, less than 2p/lb above the overall average at 231.4c/kg (82.7p/lb). The lowest factory average was 223c/kg (79.7p/lb).
The exception in the price for R3 heifers was the top price of 265.5c/kg (94.8p/lb) at AIBP, Waterford, a clear 6p/lb ahead of the nearest rival, Meadow Meats, Rathdowney and 9p/lb over the overall average of 240.7c/kg (86p/lb), an average which was of course influenced by the leading price. The lowest factory average was 233c/kg (83.3p/lb)
The average for O3 heifers was just under 81p/lb. The highest price of 236c/kg (84.3p/lb) was paid at the AIBP plant at Cahir, ahead of Kepak at Clonee and Jennings of Ballinrobe.
The lowest average for O3 heifers was 219c/kg (78.3p/lb). Overall last week's factory returns show a slightly higher return for the heifers but no good news on the price front for bullocks with the prices continuing to edge downwards.
