Over-age penalty re-introduced

AN AUTUMN cattle trade without price cuts was too good to believe, and the past fortnight has proved that 2006 is no exception to the rule.

Downward pressure on prices is being maintained by beef processors this week, with the introduction at several factories of a 6 cents/kg (2p/lb) penalty for over-age cattle.

But the difference in 2006 from other years is that cattle farmers are showing more resistance to price reductions, and holding back the cattle which factories need to supply a strong beef market.