The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s database shows that 35,067 cattle were processed in beef plants during the week commencing March 23rd.
Breakdown:
- Young bulls: 2,783;
- Bulls: 686;
- Steers: 12,045;
- Heifers: 10,489;
- Cows: 6,770.
Figures indicate that 35,925 cattle were presented for slaughter during the corresponding period last year.
Quotes
The majority of plants are offering a base price of €3.50/kg for steers and heifers this week.
There is poor demand for young bulls, with between €3.30-€3.50/kg on the table for O/R/U grades in a limited number of factories. Farmers have informed this publication that they are experiencing difficulty in getting young bulls, in particular, slaughtered.
P grade cull cows have dropped to €2.50/kg, with €2.70/kg being reported for Os; €2.80/kg is being quoted for R grades, with some plants reportedly offering 10c/kg more.
