Shortage of beef animals underpins prices
Although the supply of bullocks to the factories last week was up 500 head on the previous week - at 15,774 head - throughput was down 1,000 head on the same week last year, and aided by good export demand for beef for restocking post-Easter led to a tight supply situation at the processors to the benefit of producers.
The group average for R4L bullocks at AIBP was up 0.5p/lb with individual factory averages showing a gain of 1p/lb at Nenagh - where an average of 105p/lb was paid - and at Bandon - average 103.6p/lb - and slightly less at Cahir where the average was a whisker under 104p/lb.
Gains were also achieved at Dawn Meats where the group average increased by 0.5p/lb, with the average at Meadow Meats, Rathdowney, up by 0.8p/lb at 104.4p/lb, and Waterford (105p/lb) and Midleton (104p/lb) higher by over 0.5p/lb.
The national average for R4L bullocks was 104.5p/lb with a top price of 106.7p/lb paid by Donegal Meat Products and Exel at Kilbeggan, Newgrange at Navan, Euro Foods at Duleek, and AIBP at Clones, all paying averages just under 106p/lb. The national average for O4L was 102p/lb.
Heifer prices edged slightly ahead of the bullocks with a national average of 105p/lb for R4L. Kepak at Clonee were tops at an average of 107.7p/lb with Donegal Meats and Dawn at Ballaghadereen paying over 106p/lb average. The average for O4L heifers was just under 102p/lb. The cull cow prices were well back on the record 97p/lb peak of previous weeks at a top price of 91p/lb average for R4 at Liffeys of Ballyjames-duff and O4 at Euro Farm Foods at Duleek. The best factory average for P grade was 87p/lb at Euro Farm Foods with Exel Meats and Liffeys paying just a shade less.
