Factory cattle intake dips below 30,000 as prices hold steady

There is growing concern over the widening differential between beef prices in Northern Ireland and those being paid by the southern-based factories

Supplies are tightening, with the intake for last week dipping to under 30,000 head for the first time in 2025, and the belief some finishers are now holding back on selling fit animals

Producer patience with the ongoing ‘stable’ prices for the prime beef animals from the processors continues, while there is strong contention the markets for beef are continuing to deliver increasing returns.

However, supplies are tightening, with the intake for last week dipping to under 30,000 head for the first time in 2025, and the belief some finishers are now holding back on selling fit animals.