Weather poses biggest threat to cattle prices

THERE are signs of the beef trade strengthening further at factories for this week, as processors push to maintain intake levels.

Although officially quoted prices across the country are unchanged, factory agents are reporting greater difficulty in securing supplies, and harder dealing by farmers with cattle to sell.

The base quote for steers is from 350 to 355 cents/kg (125p to 127p/lb), but processors are reported to be paying at least 5 cent/kg more to get cattle.