No sign yet of big price changes

ALTHOUGH supplies of cattle to the factories have increased slightly over the past week, there was no easing of the pressure on factories to maintain prices this week, with some of the processors having to pay slightly more for supplies.

The first cattle off the grass are reported to be coming into the factories in the south this week, which has made it a little easier for processors to get sufficient supplies, but the supply situation remained very tight up country.

The southern factories are generally quoting 98p/lb for R grade steers and some are paying a bit more.