Kepak, one of the country's largest beef processors, has issued guidelines to farmers on weight restrictions for steers, heifers, young bulls and cows.
In its pricing structure document seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, the company outlines details of the new in-spec bonus payments on under-30-month steers and heifers, 30- to 36-month steers and heifers and O-/4+ steers and heifers.
It goes on to outline the weight guidelines and penalties that will apply to animals falling outside of the weights that Kepak require for different classes of animals.
Steers and heifers
Table 1 below outlines the weight guidelines that will apply to steers and heifers.
The standard base price is paid on carcases between 240kg and 420kg, with a sliding scale of deductions for under and over these weights.
The maximum penalty for carcases over 480kg is 30c/kg, while carcases weighing between 200kg and 220kg will be deducted 40c/kg.
Young bulls
The table also outlines the young bull weight guidelines. The industry has grappled with heavy bulls for a long time, but Kepak has now put some clarity around the weights required and how heavy bulls will be penalised.
The maximum limit will be 400kg before young bulls start to attract weight penalties. Carcases over 450kg will attract a penalty of 30c/kg.
Kepak has repeatedly stated in the past that all young bull producers should have agreement with the processor before embarking on young bull production.
Cows
The table also outlines the cow pricing structure in relation to weight.
With cows, Kepak is looking for a minimum carcase weight of 270kg. Below this is a sliding scale of penalties, with a cow carcase weighing from 190kg to 210kg attracting a penalty of 60c/kg.
Fat cover
The document also clarifies a pricing structure for fat cover on cows. Anything grading between a 2+ and 4+ will stay at the base price.
Cows grading a fat score of 5 will attract a 20c/kg penalty, while cows grading a 1= will attract a penalty of 80c/kg.
P= cows will also attract a penalty of 15c/kg, while P- cows will attract a 20c/kg penalty.
The document also goes into detail on young bull pricing:
Young bulls under 16 months that are over 400kg are priced as young bulls between 16 and 23 months.Base price for under-16-month young bulls applies to cattle with fat cover of 2+ or better. The QPS grid offsets apply to cattle with fat cover of 2= or less.An in-spec bonus of 12c/kg will be paid on eligible under-16-month young bulls grading from an O= to 4= and with a carcase weight of between 240kg and 400kg.It also states that farmers in producer groups should consult the relevant producer group for the individual pricing structure.
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Kepak, one of the country's largest beef processors, has issued guidelines to farmers on weight restrictions for steers, heifers, young bulls and cows.
In its pricing structure document seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, the company outlines details of the new in-spec bonus payments on under-30-month steers and heifers, 30- to 36-month steers and heifers and O-/4+ steers and heifers.
It goes on to outline the weight guidelines and penalties that will apply to animals falling outside of the weights that Kepak require for different classes of animals.
Steers and heifers
Table 1 below outlines the weight guidelines that will apply to steers and heifers.
The standard base price is paid on carcases between 240kg and 420kg, with a sliding scale of deductions for under and over these weights.
The maximum penalty for carcases over 480kg is 30c/kg, while carcases weighing between 200kg and 220kg will be deducted 40c/kg.
Young bulls
The table also outlines the young bull weight guidelines. The industry has grappled with heavy bulls for a long time, but Kepak has now put some clarity around the weights required and how heavy bulls will be penalised.
The maximum limit will be 400kg before young bulls start to attract weight penalties. Carcases over 450kg will attract a penalty of 30c/kg.
Kepak has repeatedly stated in the past that all young bull producers should have agreement with the processor before embarking on young bull production.
Cows
The table also outlines the cow pricing structure in relation to weight.
With cows, Kepak is looking for a minimum carcase weight of 270kg. Below this is a sliding scale of penalties, with a cow carcase weighing from 190kg to 210kg attracting a penalty of 60c/kg.
Fat cover
The document also clarifies a pricing structure for fat cover on cows. Anything grading between a 2+ and 4+ will stay at the base price.
Cows grading a fat score of 5 will attract a 20c/kg penalty, while cows grading a 1= will attract a penalty of 80c/kg.
P= cows will also attract a penalty of 15c/kg, while P- cows will attract a 20c/kg penalty.
The document also goes into detail on young bull pricing:
Young bulls under 16 months that are over 400kg are priced as young bulls between 16 and 23 months.Base price for under-16-month young bulls applies to cattle with fat cover of 2+ or better. The QPS grid offsets apply to cattle with fat cover of 2= or less.An in-spec bonus of 12c/kg will be paid on eligible under-16-month young bulls grading from an O= to 4= and with a carcase weight of between 240kg and 400kg.It also states that farmers in producer groups should consult the relevant producer group for the individual pricing structure.
More to follow
Read more
Camera at the Mart: farmers and exporters drive the trade at Roscommon
Beef management: grazing conditions, sheep and THRIVE
Quality bullocks lead the way in Kilkenny
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