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Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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Beef trade: Prices increase by 5-10c/kg in some plants

Beef prices have strengthened again this week, rising by 5c-10c/kg in some factories, according to IFA livestock chairman, Brendan Golden.

He said bullocks are making €3.80 to €3.85/kg, heifers are making €3.85 to €3.90/kg, with factories paying more for larger or specialist lots.

Beef prices this week – Cull cows and young bulls

Cows are ranging from €3/kg for P grades to €3.50/kg for good R and U grades with flat deals for P and O grading cows of €3.10 to €3.20/kg available.

Furthermore, he said young bulls are starting at €3.65/kg for O grades and moving up to €3.80/€3.90/kg for R and U grades in some factories.

Tight beef supplies

Golden said the trade is underpinned by the continuing strong performance of the supermarket trade and tight supplies.

He said the latest 12-week supermarket sales data, up to the end of December, is reflecting the ongoing increase in both sales of beef and value of beef.

“Beef sales increased by 9.7% in volume and 2.8% in price, returning an increase of 12.8% in spend on beef compared to the same period in 2019,” he said.

The IFA livestock chairman said the prime export benchmark price has strengthened in the past week reflecting the market conditions in our key export markets.

He feels beef prices need to push on to reflect the positive market conditions that are prevailing.

National beef kill

The national beef kill for the week commencing January 11th, 2021 stood at 31,990 head, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s database.

  • Young bulls: 3,587;
  • Bulls: 291;
  • Cows: 6,436;
  • Heifers: 10,445;
  • Veal: 54.

This brings the national kill for the year-to-date to 65,009 head, which is 1,868 head lower than the first two weeks in 2020.

Last week, 33,019 cattle were slaughtered in Department-approved plants with 3,583 young bulls, 319 bulls, 11,140 steers, 6,212 cows and 11,723 heifers.

Read more beef-related content here.

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