Beef prices have hardened this week as cattle producers make a stand against beef processors’ attempts to pull prices.

Base quotes for steers are €3.85/kg, with heifers on €3.95/kg – down 5c/kg on last week.

However, farmers are digging in when negotiating with factories and securing prices above this level.

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Tighter supplies and a flurry of field work this week have not helped processors in pulling the beef prices down to quoted levels.

IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said there is more bite in the beef trade, with farmers strongly resisting the lower quoted prices negotiating more. He said factories are paying 5c/kg to 10c/kg over quotes to get cattle, with deals of €3.90/kg and €4.00/kg on offer this week.

With beef prices rising in the UK and sterling exchange rates settling, Woods added there is scope for higher Irish beef prices towards €4.20/kg to €4.30/kg.