Processors in strong position as supply rises to beef factories

The strengthening supply of cattle available at beef factories has added to the pressure on prices for all categories this week.

As the intake continues to rise, processors have moved to reduce quoted prices for stock as much as 5 cents/kg, in a disappointing turn to the trade for cattle farmers, whose expectations of a strong pre-Christmas trade have been shattered.

The supply increased to around 33,600 head last week, a lift of around 500 over the previous week.