2023 shaping into a year of uncertainty for the finishers

The quoted prices have been trimmed by up to 5 cents/kg for the second consecutive week, with many producers being put on a booking list for up to a week, or in some cases slightly longer, to get the cattle killed.

The processors are blaming market conditions for the downturn with consumer resistance to higher prices becoming a bigger issue. File Picture: Andy Gibson.

Weaker prices and the introduction of a booking system to get cattle killed have combined to deal another blow to the confidence of finishers in the factory trade for this week.

There are rarely two seasons the same in the beef finishing business, which many times places farmer feeders at the mercy of market uncertainties.