Bullocks fetch 100p/lb at factories
Scarce supplies and a hard sell by producers is maintaining the upward trend, which has turned out a record year for finishers. Processors who tried to hold prices at under 100p/lb for R grade have failed in their bid to control the upward price spiral, which will be stalled only by a considerable increase in supplies of cattle off the grass.
The national average for R3 bullocks and heifers across all factories for last week was 100.5p/lb and 100.7p/lb, respectively, according to the factory farmer pay sheet returns, showing an average increase of up to 1p/lb over the previous week, while up to 2p/lb of an increase was recorded in some categories of O grade. The average paid by AIBP Group for R3 bullocks exceeded 100p/lb for the first time this season following an average increase of 1p/lb. Factories at Clones, Cahir and Nenagh paid over 100p/lb average with prices averaging just under 100p/lb average for R3 bullocks at Waterford, Bandon and Rathkeale.
Dawn Group also paid an average of 100p/lb an improvement of 0.5p/lb with over 100p/lb average being paid at Midleton, Rathdowney and Ballaghadereen. Kepak paid an average of 101p/lb at the three factories. Overall, 10 factories paid an average of 101p/lb or over and a further eight factories paid 100p/lb or better. The price band has also narrowed ranging from a top of 102p/lb at Exel, at Kilbeggan to the lowest factory average of 98p/lb.
Cull cow prices were maintained at a peak of over 89p/lb being paid for R5 grade at AIBP, Clones.
