Harder sell by cattle farmers delivers higher prices

Cattle prices at beef factories this week have held at worst, or edged slightly harder, as the cattle supply stays tight.

Farmers are adopting a hard sell policy, with strong demand and restricted supply strengthening their hand in rejecting any price down turn.

Processors maintained their quoted base prices for steers this week at 390-395 cent/kg (139-141p/lb), but are generally paying 5-8 cent/kg (2p-3p/lb) more than quoted in order to acquire cattle. Heifers are being quoted at a premium of 10 cent/kg (4p/lb) above steers, and the actual prices for heifers are generally at least 10 cent higher than for steers.