Fingers crossed for six more weeks

DARE we say it, but beef prices are holding slightly stronger than the same weeks in 2002, despite the increase in the weekly kill at factories, as more animals are marketed before they reach 30 months.

There has been a slight strengthening in beef prices this week, particularly noticeable for the lower grades, with at least 227 cents/kg (81p/lb) being quoted for O grade at most of the factories.

The weekly steer kill is 25% higher than for the corresponding weeks in 2002 at over 20,000 head last week, and the factories are looking for what cattle they can get, reporting a “steady supply”, but not in excess of requirements.