Light supplies for beef at factories
Up to 90p/lb was paid for R grade under 30 months cattle yesterday and some producers got a shade more for quality stock but it was more difficult to get over 88p/lb by evening and quotes for today are generally 88p/lb for R grade under 30 months and ranging 86-84p/lb for O grade.
There were very few overage cattle being offered to the factories yesterday and the expectation is that most of the older cattle have gone through pre-Christmas to avoid the additional costs. There is still a market there for these older cattle. If they are good enough and over 400kg, Galtee Meats are offering 83p/lb. The more general price available is 80-82p/lb for any animals over 30 months.
The regular Monday cattle sale at Bandon has been moved to Thursday calf sales continue to be held on Mondays and the opening cattle sale for 2003 at Dungarvan mart will not take place until Monday next.
There was a small sale of cattle at Kilmallock Mart yesterday and a firm trade all-round. The forward single-punched bullocks made up to €300 over and light stores with both premia available sold for up to 350 over.
Calf prices were strong for a small supply with Hereford bulls four-to-five weeks old making up to €360/head and strong continental bull calves up to €440/head.
The trade for heifers ranged from 25 over /kg to €100 over.
