Factories paying 5-10C/KG over quoted prices for beef

Factories have to pay 5c to 10c/kg over quoted prices to get adequate numbers of cattle this week, according to IFA Livestock Committee Chairman Sean Higgins. He said supplies are extremely tight and farmers should dig in and bargain hard with the factory to maximise the price. Sean Higgins said the kill at just over 26,000 per week is very tight. Steer supplies are exceptionally tight running at slightly over half of the 2010 levels. The overall kill is down 8,000 per week compared to 2010 and 4,000 per week less than 2011 levels. For the latest farming news and mart reports, see this week's Celt...