Beef market report: Effect of tough beef market hits mart trade

Beef prices at the factories show little change this week, but the squeeze on beef farmer profitability continues.

The quoted base price for steers is unchanged at 360 cents/kg, but it is much harder this week to get above the base, even for the hardest bargainers.

Processors are more determined than ever not to concede extra by way of a ‘top up’ on the base, except in rare circumstances.