Last week’s kill was recorded at 35,106 cattle, up 550 head and the highest since the end of 2014, when factory protests and delays in throughput dominated the trade.

Demand at present is firm, with factories keen for cattle coming on offer, particularly in the southeast and east.

This has seen sellers operating at the higher end of the market secure a steer base of €3.75/kg in recent days.

The majority of plants are quoting a base of €3.70/kg, with higher numbers remaining on offer in the west where streamlining throughput is taking more management.

Flat-priced deals for quality assured O grading steers range from €3.50/kg to €3.55/kg, with P grades 5c/kg to 10c/kg less.

The heifer kill increased from 7,605 to 7,882 head last week, but still remains at less than 50% of steer throughput. This is helping competition, with base prices ranging from €3.80/kg to €3.85/kg.

Flat-priced deals for quality assured O=/+ grading Angus and Herford heifers range from €3.70/kg to €3.80/kg, with bonus payments ranging from 10c/kg to 15c/kg.

There is talk of some plants being less interested and offering a lower bonus of 5c/kg for Hereford cattle, particularly those killing O- or lower. Producer groups are encouraging farmers to avail of long-term booking to secure maximum premiums.

Factory agents report significant numbers killing lower than anticipated, with fat cover and kill-out the main concerns. Again, this is not reflected across the country. Bear this in mind when drafting decisions for cattle approaching 30 months of age.

While moving animals less than 30 months will keep stock in contention for the 12c/kg QPS bonus, the effect of killing under-fleshed stock will be far greater, with an inadequate fat cover putting animals out of contention for the 12c/kg payment.

Bulls and cows differ

The bull kill remains low at just over 2,000 head. R grades are trading from €3.75/kg to €3.80/kg, with U grades to €3.85/kg. This excludes producer bonuses.

Bulls less than 16 months and trading on the grid are being offered a base of €3.70/kg in the main.

Cow numbers in comparison are rising and, at 8,182 head, have increased by over 1,000 in the last three weeks.

There are a high number of poorly finished cows now appearing in mart sales and trading direct to factories.

Poorly fleshed P grading cows are selling from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg, with P+3 grading cows selling to €2.85/kg.

Fleshed O grading Friesians are selling to €3.05/kg, with better demand persisting for good-quality R and U grades. R grades are trading from €3.20/kg to €3.30/kg, with U grades mainly to €3.40/kg.

NI and GB trade

Base quotes for U-3= steers and heifers remain at a range of £3.34/kg to £3.40/kg in northern plants, but, as has been the case in recent weeks, quotes of 4p/kg to 8p/kg higher are being negotiated at the top of the market. At 86p to the euro, this equates to €4.08/kg to €4.15/kg including VAT. Heifers are attracting the strongest competition.

The British trade is solid with R4L steer and heifers on average ranging in price from £3.65/kg to £3.70/kg (€4.46/kg to €4.52/kg). Cow and young bull prices have eased up to 3p/kg. The AHDB reports O4L grading cows are selling from £2.35/kg to £2.39/kg (€2.73/kg to €2.92/kg), with R grading young bulls averaging £3.40/kg to £3.45/kg (€4.15/kg to €4.21/kg). Demand remains best for in-spec stock with supplies failing to satisfy demand.

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