Spring arrives at last but beef prizes are still frozen

BEEF prices at the factories have continued this week ‘frozen’ at the same low level since the beginning of the year, which is well below the same period in 2009.

Farmers’ hopes for price improvement in the spring trade are fading, and they are left to count their losses after a very costly finishing season that has fallen far short of expectations.

With intake of 33,124 head per week, there is no pressure on processors to pay more for cattle, and it is a safe bet that any possible improvement in the trade will not come before supply tightens.