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Despite reports of factories being active for prices across the country, there is little sign of more money. Steers are working off a base of €3.80/kg with €3.85 being secured by sellers with a strong offer of in-spec cattle. There is a little more flexibility on heifers, with the base of €3.85/kg but €3.90/kg achievable.
P+3 grading cows are trading from €2.95/kg to €3.20/kg O grades rising to €3.20/kg, R grades are selling from €3.25/kg to €3.35/kg with heavy, well-fleshed cows selling to €3.40/kg. Factories not active in cows are well behind the pace and plainer feeding cows are doing better in the mart.
IFA is optimistic about price with Angus Woods, livestock chair saying many farmers are negotiating deals above this along with transport and clipping charges.
In Northern Ireland, U-3 quotes remain at £3.42/kg to £3.46/kg, the equivalent of €4.24/kg to €4.29/kg at 85p to the euro and 5.4% VAT, with some deals a few pence higher. The cow trade is unchanged with O grades selling from £2.40/kg to £2.55/kg (€2.98/kg to €3.16/kg) and R grades rising to £3.65/kg (€3.29/kg).
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