Last week’s beef kill increased to 36,804 head, the highest weekly kill since late 2011. Many agents report the kill being boosted by some factories increasing processing activity ahead of the IFA beef factory protest.

Prices in the main processing plants remain unchanged, with the majority of steers and heifers moving at a base of €3.65/kg for steers and €3.70/kg to €3.75/kg for heifers.

There is more bite in the trade from independent plants purchasing, with base prices averaging €3.70/kg to €3.75/kg for steers and €3.80/kg for heifers. The higher demand was evident by some plants processing on Monday morning. While the inclement weather in the last few days brought more cattle onto the market, it has not eased factory appetite, with competition levels high to source stock.

However, there is a reluctance to increase quotes. Some agents comment that they can see cattle supplies starting to tighten more, with farmers making the decision to move stock or house.

Reports suggest factories are also starting to move to secure supplies in the run-up to Christmas, with a minimum contract base price of €3.90/kg excluding bonuses (6c/kg over average base grade) reported as offered by ABP to a number of specialised producers.

Flat-priced deals for heifers range from €3.60/kg for O grade butcher-type heifers to €3.75/kg for quality assured (QA) Angus heifers. Flat-priced deals for O grading Friesian steers range from €3.45/kg to €3.60/kg, with prices highest in the northwest of the country. Some plants are continuing to deduct 10c/kg for overage Friesian steers, with most plants wavering any cuts on overage continental steers.

Solid cow trade: The cow trade is strong, despite more cows starting to come on stream. O grade Friesian cows are selling in small numbers from €3.05/kg to €3.15/kg, with specialised sellers securing €3.20/kg at the top of the market.

Likewise, P+3 grading cows are selling from €2.85/kg to €3.05/kg. Continental O grading cows are selling to €3.30/kg, with R grades selling from €3.35/kg to €3.45/kg and U grades selling to a top of €3.55/kg to €3.60/kg.

Low bull throughput (1,661 head) is helping to drive the trade, with factories willing to compete stronger and offer increased weight/age allowances.

R grade bulls are selling from €3.65/kg to €3.75/kg where sold as mixed batches with U grades, while U grade bulls are selling from €3.70/kg to €3.85/kg to specialised sellers. O grade Friesian bulls are selling from €3.35/kg to €3.50/kg.

Official Department prices: This is the first week reporting the Department of Agriculture official young bull prices. The prices listed in all the tables are collated by the Department of Agriculture and reflect cattle killed last week.

It is important to note, especially in the case of steers and heifers, that many prices may be influenced by plants purchasing cattle that are likely to receive or not likely to receive the 12c/kg QPS bonus. Bull prices may, in a small number of cases, be influenced by under 16 months of age bulls purchased on the grid.