Price of 90p/lb on the horizon for young cattle
Up to 238c/kg (85p/lb) is being quoted by a number of factories for R grade animals under 30 months this week and reports from around the country yesterday indicated that higher prices are being paid this week for quality young cattle.
Galtee Meats at Charleville quoted 85p/lb yesterday, while Excel Meats at Kilbeggan moved up to 235c/kg (84p/lb) and 238c/kg (85p/lb) is offered at AIBP factories.
All factories are finding it more difficult to source young cattle this week. The availability of supply varies from region to region, but the overall tightening in numbers is now beginning to pinch at the factories as they head into the run-up to busy Christmas trade.
Prices for O grade young cattle have remained stable on 224c/kg (80p/lb).
A target of 252c/kg (90p/lb) is now being freely spoken of as achievable for R grade cattle under 30 months within the next 10 to 14 days as pressure for supplies increases with further decline in numbers available.
But producers must be very careful to check the ID cards to ensure that animals do not go over 30 months before slaughter.
All factories slaughtering older cattle are reporting the continuation of very strong supplies. The general price on offer this week is 213-207c/kg (76p-74p/lb) for R/O grades, but some producers were offered as low as 190c/kg (68p/lb) yesterday for O grade cattle over 30 months.
In the marts yesterday trade for single punched bullocks was improved at Bandon where they sold for up to 260 over with a similar size bullock sale to last week. Heifers met with improved trade with prices up 30/head. At Dungarvan the store bullock trade remained firm .
Prices for beef bullocks and heifers improved by 20-30/head.
Blessington heavy beef bullocks with all premia drawn were improved by 40-50/head. Beef and store heifers were cheaper by 10-20/head.
