Factory cow prices exceptionally strong as steer prices hold back
Two Belgian Blue bullocks born March '20 average weight 600 kilos sold for €1,420 each in Skibbereen Mart. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.
The continuing strength of the cow trade, while the processors have exercised downward pressure on the prime beef prices over recent weeks, has become difficult for producers to fully understand.
It is rare that the price for an R-grade cow and similar grade prime steer animal are similar. Is the manufacturing beef from the cow, going mainly into the catering sector in such demand as to drive the price to secure a large intake at the factories?
