Downward shift in cull cow prices

FACTORY quotes for cattle were unchanged from last week, or slightly lower for some grades, as processors continued to squeeze prices.

But farmers are strongly resisting price cuts for their cattle. Factories have largely failed to cut prices, but have stalled the upward trend.

Plentiful supplies of cattle are reported at the factories, but official intake figures show throughput only slightly ahead of 12 months ago, totalling 31,000 to 32,000 head. But there is a much more favourable export market environment this year.