Unusually busy January beef trade with processors under pressure to secure intakes

Beef market report

This 680 kg Hereford cow, born 12/2/17,made €1,080 at Tuesday's near deserted Fermoy Mart, as marts operated with strict covid-19 rules including no ringside activity, no sellers at the mart, and buyers bidding online remotely. Picture: James Treacy

Prices at beef factories this week allowed just a glimmer of optimism for finishers, but “every little helps”.

Getting better beef prices is not easy, but pressure on processors to get enough cattle is forcing them to ease their pricing policy a little.