There appears to be even more variability entering the bull trade.

There is such an assortment of prices paid between and even within factories that it is hard to put a description on this week’s price trends.

At the bottom of the market there are reports of some plants quoting €3.30/kg to €3.35/kg for O grading bulls, while the general run of prices is €3.40/kg to €3.45/kg and top prices still at €3.50/kg, but reserved for specialist finishers for bulls ticking all the boxes on spec.

Comparison

These prices compare favourably to R and U grading bulls which are deemed out of spec on weight with consecutive cuts of 10c/kg to 20c/kg being implemented at carcase weights varying from 430kg to 480kg.

This is leaving heavy R and U grading bulls selling for as little as €3.30/kg to €3.40/kg.

The average run of prices for R grading bulls recording a lighter carcase under 420kg and adequately covered ranges from €3.50/kg to €3.60/kg, with top prices for U grades rising 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.

Delays remain from booking to slaughter, with the longest delays in plants with lower activity in the bull market.

No change

There is no change in the trade for steers, heifers and cows.

Steers remain on a base of €3.75/kg, with heifers selling on a base of €3.85/kg.

Meanwhile, cows are trading from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg for P+3 grades, with O grades averaging around the €2.80/kg mark and R grades at €3.00/kg.

There are some plants paying higher good R grading cows, with top prices rising to €3.10/kg or slightly higher.