Beef market report: Sign of the times as beef intake falls to 28,700

The trade for cattle at the factories remained stable this week with only slight, but upward, movement in prices.

The shorter working week after the bank holiday on Monday strengthened the hand of farmers to negotiate a top-up on officially quoted prices, particularly at factories where the intake is tightening.

However, processors are conceding on price only when it is deemed absolutely necessary in order to get the stock they need.