Cull cow trade is the one area where prices edge upwards

Factory prices yesterday continued unchanged, with the recent undercurrent of upward movement appearing to have slowed.

This means that your factory bullock remains largely fixed on a base of €3.65/kg, with factory heifers on €3.70/kg.

Reports continue to surface of 5c/kg more being paid but as last week moved on, that extra 5c/kg became more difficult to achieve.

Prices for bulls also appear to have levelled off with under-24-month U-grades selling in general around the €3.60/kg mark, with R grades €3.50/kg and coloured Os €3.40/kg.

The cull cow trade is the one area where prices continue to edge slowly upwards.

R grades are reported as having settled at €3.20-3.30/ kg, with some well-fleshed O-grades now moved onto €3.20/kg, although the general run is €3.00-3.10/kg.

As with everything, some plants specialise in either bullocks, bulls or cows and these tend to reward those with stock that fit their immediate requirements.

In short, the factory trade is really no better or worse as the numbers continue strong, with one agent telling me: “I thought on Sunday I’d have no cattle but I was full by Tuesday for the week.”

None of the other players have followed Dawn’s lead in reducing the requirement to keep stock a minimum of 30 days from the previous 60 in relation to the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance scheme (SBLA).

ABP said it has “no plans at the moment to change the SBLA scheme”.

For the week ending February 16, figures from the Department of Agriculture show that in relation to factory prices achieved for bullocks, including VAT, Kepak Clonee moved into top spot with an average payment for R3 steers of 397.11c/kg, just ahead of the Foyle Donegal’s 396.44c/ kg. ABP Cahir pipped ABP Bandon to third spot, averaging 394.42c/kg.

The division on price in relation to R3 heifers is more clear-cut, with Foyle coming in over 6c/ kg ahead on 406.38c/kg, as against Clonee’s 399.22c/ kg. Jennings Ballinrobe occupies third spot on 395.89c/kg.

It is always advisable to check in advance of selling if the factory pays breed bonuses

Foyle were also the best payer when it came to young bulls, on 391.14c/kg for U3s, just ahead of Kepak Clonee on 390.83c/kg.

Kepak Athleague dominates the cull cow table, averaging 316.52c/kg for O4s, almost 2.5c/kg ahead of Dawn Ballyhaunis (314.12c/ kg). Liffey Meats were third on 313.33c/kg.

In relation to the above figures it is worth noting that Foyle Meats of Donegal operate a sliding scale when it comes to paying bonuses on Aberdeen Angus stock.

It’s always advisable to clarify in advance of selling whether your factory pays breed bonuses.