The Dealer has heard of meat plants who seem to have disregarded carcase spec this week. Reports are circulating of one plant in the southeast which is actively sourcing bulls aged 20 to 23 months of age and paying a flat-rate price of €3.70/kg on these animals. It seems it is not alone as another independent processor, this time in the border region, is reportedly keen to source heavy over-age bulls to meet throughput. The move shows how fickle meat processors are when they can impose penalties on the same type of cattle this spring using retailer specification as their defence. Yet when supplies are tight, it appears that retail spec does not matter.