Cattle prices survive food scare

VERY little has changed in the beef trade this week, which is positive news for those who may have feared any adverse reaction to the recent scare in pork.

Nonetheless, it is disappointing for those who had hoped for better prices from the factories for the Christmas kill, or anticipated a lift in demand for beef arising from the temporary removal of pork from supermarket shelves.

Although the intake of cattle at processing plants has slipped more than 4,000 head per week behind the 2007 kill for the same time, a few of the plants tried offering as much as 6 cent/kg (2p/lb) less for cattle this week.