The mood among beef finishers remains at a very low level. The steer and heifer base is unchanged since October, leaving no return for winter finishers and many in a loss-making position.

Prices are running 15c/kg to 20c/kg behind the corresponding week in 2018, with steers at a base of €3.75/kg and heifers on a base of €3.85/kg. There is practically no differentiation to these prices, with strong supplies continuing to leave factory buyers with the upper hand in negotiations.

Contrast

The beef trade is in contrast to the live trade for steers and heifers, with mart prices robust and comparable to 2018 levels.

The trade is being helped by favourable weather and the higher than normal grass growth over the winter.

Light weanling bulls are also a flying trade, but the trade for heavier bulls is being restricted by ongoing processing challenges.

Throughput slowly drying up

There are signs of bull throughput slowly drying up, but supplies still remain ahead of demand.

There is as much as a 30c/kg to 40c/kg difference in prices paid for bulls grading similarly, but delivering significantly different carcases in terms of carcase weight.

Most plants continue to implement a weight cut off at 430kg to 440kg, with deductions of 10c/kg to 20c/kg thereafter, with some returning at 470kg to 480kg with another layer of penalties.

The general prices quoted before any deductions are accounted for range anywhere from €3.55/kg to €3.70/kg for U grades and €3.40/kg to €3.60/kg for R grades, while O grades are facing a wider variation of €3.15/kg for plainer-quality O- grading bulls to €3.40/kg for better-quality types.

Cow trade

The cow trade appears to be strengthening, with marts first to show extra life.

Prices have not changed significantly in the factory, but sellers are getting cows away easier, with some agents starting to look for cows.

P+3 grades range from €2.65/kg to €2.75/kg, with O grades from €2.80/kg to €2.90/kg and R grades on average from €3.00/kg to €3.10/kg.

Higher prices are being commanded by dealers for heavy R+ and U grading cows, with young cows particularly sought after.

The mart trade remains a good outlet for these cows, with higher prices harder to negotiate.

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