Processors should talk with farmers

Failure of communication from beef processors to cattle farmers has been highlighted by Beef Activation Group chairman Michael Dowling, at this week’s beef roundtable meeting.

He said carcase discounting by processors through the second half of 2013 for a very limited number of cattle outside market specifications fuelled farmer perceptions that the pricing system is more complex and less transparent.

“All processors should commit to better, and more regular, communications with suppliers on market requirements and developments,” said Mr Dowling.