More 'life' in cattle trade, but processors remain cautious
It is generally agreed there is a little more on price being conceded by processors this week to secure stock, which is very welcome among suppliers and has opened the opportunity for more hard selling to achieve an extra return.
Factory prices for cattle are stable, with some early shoots showing signs of a tightly controlled, marginal hardening as demand for stock firms up, while the major processing groups are reviewing and planning adjustments to handling lower intakes.
Most factories are quoting steers on a base of 700c/kg and heifers on 710c/kg, both similar to last week, but suppliers are reporting there is an extra 5–10c/kg being paid for both categories in deals with processors to secure more stock.
