Steer intake recovers from 8,000 per week slump

THE decline in beef cattle numbers has stabilised, after three weeks in which the steer intake by processors had “collapsed” to just over 8,000 head per week.

The trend put processors under pressure to get additional cattle, and forced them to increase prices.

The situation this week is interesting. Prices have held, but the upward cattle price trend has stalled yet again, suggesting that another peak may have been reached, unless supplies fall back.