Price disparity between big feedlots and small farmers hits €114/hd for 380kg R3 steer
‘The prices obtained by the feedlots indicate what beef is worth to the processors’ Photo: Getty
Here’s a riddle for you. With factory base prices for bullocks and heifers continuing at €5.00-5.05/kg, 15-20c/kg below this time last year, how is it that Department figures show that for the week ending May 19, R3 steers, including vat, averaged €5.40/kg, with R3 heifers at €5.47/kg?
Answer: once you eliminate the 22pc of the slaughter made up of cull cows that week, what you are left with at this time of year are all prime shed cattle. And these are owned by professional finishers and feedlots — dealing in very big numbers and operating on contracts.
