Heifers and steers continue to be a very strong trade, with farmers receiving marginally higher quotes than last week.

Steers are trading in the main at a base of €4.10/kg, but there are some regular sellers or those with higher numbers securing a base a €4.15/kg. At the very top of the market, a base of €4.20/kg has been reported on a small number of occasions.

A similar situation is evident with heifers.

The majority are selling on a base of €4.25/kg, but there are some selling at a base of €4.28/kg to €4.30/kg. This is likely to result in the average prices reported by the Department increasing by 1c/kg to 3c/kg.

Bull trade

Bull prices have been slower to move, with R and U grades moving mainly at €4.05/kg and €4.15/kg respectively. There are specialised sellers securing bonus payments above this range, with negotiating power having a big impact on price.

Agents remain sticky on letting the base for bulls less than 16 months exceed a base of €4.05/kg, with sellers operating at the top of the market, in cases, securing a base of €4.08/kg to €4.10/kg.

Cow trade under pressure

As has become the norm for the time of year, factory agents are starting to talk down the price of cows, with some reports trying to ease prices by 5c/kg to 10c/kg.

There is no sign of this being reflected in the mart trade, where cows remain an excellent trade.

Northern Ireland

The trade in Northern Ireland continues in good stead.

U-3 base prices for steers and heifers have steadied at £3.56/kg to £3.60/kg, which is the equivalent of €4.31/kg to €4.36/kg at the weaker sterling exchange rate of 87p to the euro and including 5.4% VAT.

Regular sellers with greater negotiating power remain in a position to secure returns ranging from the mid- to high-£3.60s.

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