Beef market report: Steady beef trade as intake stays under 30,000

Beef prices at the factories remained firm this week, as the supply of cattle to processors held stable and tight, and the trend of recent weeks was maintained.

However, the change in the weather over the week-end, with heavy rainfall affecting ground conditions on farms in some regions of the country, is expected to lead to an increase in supplies over the coming days.

Processors appear to be anticipating that the approach of August and deterioration in the weather will deliver more stock through the factory gates, relieving the pressure on them to maintain intake.