The first of the animals were slaughtered last week and the details are outlined here. The weanlings came mostly from the West but suffered a severe set back from respiratory disease after arriving. This was a bigger problem this year because the FMD ban stopped the animals from being returned to the seller. Heifers and bulls were treated in the traditional KK approach, on a growing diet for the first few months and then put on a special finishing diet to ensure white fat and pink flesh. The animals were very full when weighed.
Margins vary widely between animals with purchase price and weight gain huge factors.
Premiums are additional. Margins vary widely between animals with purchase price and weight gain huge factors. Premiums are additional. Less demand for beef Normally in the first week of May cattle supplies tighten and prices start moving up. But this is far from a normal year.