Beef plants are attempting to purchase prime cattle for 5c/kg less this week but farmers are being advised to “fight hard”.
In most factories, the base price for steers is stuck in gear at €3.60/kg-€3.65/kg with between €3.65-€3.70/kg for heifers.
It has been reported that some suppliers are securing a base price of up to €3.75/kg for heifers.
Quotes for young bulls are ranging from €3.60-€3.70/kg for U grades, with €3.50-€3.60/kg for Rs and in the region of €3.35-€3.40/kg for O grades.
In terms of cull cows, €2.80-€2.90/kg is available for P grades, €3.00/kg for O grades and €3.20/kg for Rs.
Throughput
The national beef kill for the week commencing August 17th stood at 34,378 head (including 19 calves), according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s database.
Breakdown:
- Young bulls: 1,486;
- Bulls: 673;
- Steers: 16,928;
- Cows: 6,104;
- Heifers: 9,168.
Over 1.1 million cattle slaughtered
The inclusion of last week’s throughput brings the national kill for the year-to-date to 1,148,421 head, running 11,603 head behind the corresponding period in 2019.
