Kill numbers forcing prices downwards

Steers Heifers Cull Cows Young Bulls THE numbers keep coming and coming. Last week saw 40,388 killed.

I don’t want to undermine the situation further, but with the kill at over 40,000hd for the third successive week, it’s surprising the prices for bullocks and heifers haven’t been carved up even more.

The issue in relation to numbers is hugely significant, especially as the dairy herd continues to expand.

The pressure on numbers began to be felt in the back end of last year, with big kills a feature.

That 40,388 figure is only 557 ahead of the corresponding week last year at 39,831. This year, however, the pressure has been over a far longer timeframe as opposed to last year’s brief spike.

Yesterday, base prices for in-spec prime cattle continued at €3.75/kg for bullocks, with heifers 10c/ kg above this at €3.85/kg. And that’s about as good as it gets.

Cull cows’ prices remain under pressure, falling by another 10c/kg. R grades are now set at around €3.00/kg mark, with O grades on €2.80 and those grading P+3 at €2.60-2.80/ kg. All other P grades are making less.

Speaking to various buyers and agents, the message is simple: a lot of factories are reporting fridges three-quarters full, resulting in little appetite for cull cows.

Their appetite for bulls isn’t too great either, with quotes yesterday indicating that prices here had also eased, but by just 5c/kg as opposed to that 10c/kg cut in cow quotes.