Factories under pressure as annual cattle kill falls by 8,800 head
Intake last week was down a further 500 head to 23,809 head, the lowest year to date, and back by 8,800 head on the corresponding week last year, which has plunged the processors into a situation where they'd prefer not to be, writes Martin Ryan.
The ongoing landslide of cattle supply is continuing to crush the factories into having to compete aggressively for sufficient stock to fill their orders, which has forced a sharp rise in the prices on offer.
Prices have been increased by 10–15c/kg on the back of intense competition between the processors to source sufficient cattle to fill their requirements this week, as the fall-off mounts pressure on factory procurement agents.
