Prices slip back as kill rate increases
PRICES for factory beef have slipped back in the past few days from last week's record highs with higher than normal kill rates the reason for this according to the Livestock Price Coordinator for the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA), John Cleary.
Commenting on this week's trade, Mr. Cleary said prices have slipped back as much as 10 – 15c for high spec cattle this week. The main reason attributed to the ease back on prices is a higher than normal kill rate for the week as people were tempted by the fantastic prices available to them over the past number of weeks.
"High end bulls and heifers are back to below the €4/kg mark for the first time in a long time yet cows are still holding strong due the maintained demand from within the manufacturing trade for low end cuts of meat," he said.
"It's far from doom and gloom however. Prices are still strong in the county and there are avenues to be explored for making more money from looking outside the county. Saying that, it's not worth the transport cost to enter into excessive travel to get a few extra cent per kilo," he added.
Mr Cleary said the word on the ground is that prices will remain as they are or even increase in the next week or two so farmers in Kerry shouldn't be disheartened by the news this week.
