Hopes of pre-Christmas beef price rise fade with talk of 10c/kg cuts

There are fewer options for deals on flat pricing, with more insistence by the factories on grid-only terms for both steers and heifers, writes Martin Ryan

With the weekly intake holding at 32,000 head, producer expectations of a pre-Christmas lift on prices has been dampened down, with some processors warning that a 10c/kg cut on the base is more likely. File photo

Beef finishers maintaining the weekly flow of cattle to the factories at 30,000–32,000 head over the recent weeks have eased the pressure on the processors to secure sufficient supply for the run into Christmas.

With the weekly intake holding at 32,000 head, producer expectations of a pre-Christmas lift on prices has been dampened down, with some processors warning that a 10c/kg cut on the base is more likely.