Stronger supply of cattle at factories

Marts: Stronger supplies of cattle has led to an easing of the pressure on the factories and a weakening of prices for poorer grading animals at some plants.

Cattle supplies were stronger across the country, with some of the early 2003-born bullocks out of retention and being slaughtered to avail of the €80/head slaughter premia.

Up to 252 cent/kg (90p/lb) was being offered in the midlands for R grade animals, with factories in the east and south paying 88p-89p/lb. Up to 85p/lb was on offer for O grade, but that was the exception rather than the rule with the general run of 83p/lb, a slippage of 3 cent/kg (1p/lb) from last week for the poorer grading animals.