There is a €100/hd price difference between factories for the same type of animal.

Irish Farmers Journal analysis of factory prices in 2016 shows specification now has a major impact on the price farmers are receiving for the same quality cattle.

ABP’s strength in the retail market is reflected in its overall position on steers and heifers, though Jennings claims the most top spots. Kepak’s speciality in young bulls is shown by its high position in those categories, while Dawn and a number of independent factories outside the big three groups battle it out for dominance in the cow trade.

The general rule is factories with the most demanding specs tend to dominate the higher positions, with a price spread of up to €100/hd between the top- and bottom-paying factories. Factories that are more flexible on carcase weight and QA status are more likely to be found towards the bottom of the tables.

Irish factories started 2016 on par with or better than farmgate prices in our main EU markets apart from the UK on R3 steers. By the year end, with weekly kills of 35,000, we had dropped behind France and Italy, having been well ahead mid year.

Read more

How does your factory compare?

Editorial: spec now as important as grade

Beef prices withstand Brexit pressure