Factories play ‘take it or leave it’ as cattle prices soften

Some of this week's kill was forward purchased last week at slightly higher prices, but the processors are reported to be 'tougher' this week about paying higher prices

Suppliers are reporting that lower base prices apply in particular to factories in the southern half of the country, and further north, some of the factories are willing to pay at least 10-15c/kg more for similar stock. File photo

Trading for the first week of the New Year has commenced with the processors exerting more downward pressure on the prices for all categories of stock.

The steers are being quoted down to a base of 700c/kg and the heifers to a base of 710c/kg at a number of the factories for bookings being made this week. There is a bit of the 'take it or leave it' approach by the factories creeping in this week, which is not a positive sign.