Analysing the latest Department weekly kill data shows throughput for the year to date running 40,325 head behind the same period in 2014.

While the kill has lagged behind 2014 levels for much of the year, the kill in recent weeks has marginally exceeded last year’s levels. Last week’s kill held steady, recording throughput of 29,073 head, 921 ahead of the corresponding week in 2014.

There is also a significant change in the kill profile. The young bull kill has fallen 42,259 bulls to 98,314, while throughput of bulls over 24 months has fallen 7,517 to 21,307 bulls. The majority of the lower bull kill has appeared in factories as steers, with 33,385 head more processed or a total of 315,023.

ADVERTISEMENT

Heifer throughput remains steady, meaning the shortfall in the kill is being made up from 24,045 fewer cows killed.

Solid trade

Fewer cows in the market and firm demand have allowed cows to prevent the normal seasonal avoid in price with the trade remaining firm. Average prices for P+3 and fleshed O grading cows range from €3.70/kg to €3.85/kg, with reports showing mixed lots traded in higher groups of 20+ cows moving at the higher price. R grades are selling from €3.90/kg to €4.00/kg while U grades are trading from €3.95/kg to €4.15/kg for heavy carcase and young cows. The trade in marts also remains very brisk.

More life

While prices remain similar to last week, many sellers report extra bite in the trade with factories keen to maintain current levels of throughput.

Heifers are moving at a base of €4.35/kg to €4.40/kg, with more sellers reporting success in securing €4.40/kg for heifers aged less than 30 months of age.

At the top of the market, €4.45/kg has been paid but numbers moving at this level remain small. Flat-priced deals for Angus heifers range from €4.35/kg to €4.50/kg including bonus payments, while O grading butcher heifers are trading from €4.25/kg to €4.35/kg.

Steers are moving at base of €4.25/kg to €4.30/kg. Again, in-spec lots are securing the higher quote in greater frequency with small numbers moving at €4.35/kg. O=/+ grading Friesian steers less than 30 months of age are trading flat from €4.15/kg to €4.20/kg.

It is worth keeping an eye on animal birth dates, with a greater frequency of Friesian steers hitting the 30-month age limit.

Lower bull throughput

Most bulls coming on stream are coming from specialist finishers. A high percentage are U grades moving at €4.30/kg to €4.35/kg with some specialist finishers securing bonus payments of 10-15c/kg.

Bulls aged under 16 months and traded on the grid are being offered a base of €4.25/kg, which excludes the 12c/kg QPS in-spec bonus. O grading Friesian bulls are selling for €4.10/kg to €4.20/kg with numbers traded again influencing price.