Marts: A drop of 3-6 cents/kg (1p-2p/lb) in the average price paid by factories for beef has been confirmed by the farmer pay sheet returns for last weeks kill.

There was an increase in the number of factories which paid less than 90p/lb (252 cent/kg) for cattle last week, with heifers worst hit, while the pace of drop in price for R grade animals eased.

Marts: Thirteen factories paid an average of 99p/lb or better for their supply of R3 bullocks last week, of which three topped the 100p/lb, as prices overall improved by a further 0.5p/lb.

BEEF prices at the factories have continued to ease back, with the higher prices dropping up to 4p/lb and the poorer grading animals being the worst hit, in producer returns for last week.