Marts reporting strong competition for good animals

Trade for good beef animals has heated up over the past week, with higher prices achieved at marts than at factory gates

Normally by mid June the pressure on the factories is easing, with the relief of grass finished cattle supplies on stream.

The pressure on factories to source sufficient supplies of cattle is tightening as the squeeze between dwindling numbers of feed lot animals and a trickle of cattle off grass hits the processors.

"It is very much of a mixed bag and the price depends on how badly the factory needs the cattle" is considered a reasonable summary of the situation this week.