Signs of weakening in beef prices
Prices paid for heifers were back by up to 1p/lb, and while prices were maintained for R grade bullocks, there was a slippage of a half penny/lb in the average paid for O grade bullocks.
Variations between the best and worst paying factories also widened to 15 cent/kg (5p/lb) for bullocks and up to 22 cent/kg (8p/lb) in R/O grade heifer prices between the factories.
Premium prices of up to 100p/lb being paid for young beef for specialist markets by some of the processors can have a distorting effect on the average price paid by the individual factory when related to the run of commercial cattle, but this situation applies to a minority of the processors.
Average prices paid for R3 bullocks was unchanged at a shade under 86p/lb, with a variation between the highest paying factory Dawn Meats, Waterford at almost 89p/lb and the lowest at 84p/lb.
Average for O3 bullocks was just under 82p/lb, with prices ranging from 80p/lb to 85p/lb. The average for R3 bullocks within the AIBP Group of factories at 85.2p/lb was down about a half penny/lb and improved by about the same amount at Dawn Group, where the average across the factories was 86.2p/lb. Average within the Kepak Group was also slightly better than the previous week.
Heifer prices averaged 86p/lb for R3, with a top price of over 90p/lb at Kepak, Clonee, and O grade prices averaged 81p/lb, with Jennings of Ballinrobe paying an average of 85p/lb.
