What's gone wrong? Beef prices up 42c/kg on 2022 but margins are tighter than ever

The finishers, who boosted the live trade for the forward animals three to five months ago, on their better judgement of a decent return by April or May must be wondering - yet once again - what has gone so wrong, writes Martin Ryan.

The average heifer price is 46c/kg higher than April last year at 557c/kg.

The age-old certainty is that the beef prices at the factories is as relevant today for the finishers as when it was first coined some decades ago.

The uncertainty, which has always been dogging the business of producing beef animals for direct slaughter, continues to be a definite backer for a punt.