The beef trade is starting the week in a steadier manner, with the majority of quotes settling at a base of €3.70/kg for steers and €3.80/kg for heifers.
There is very little variation from these prices, with quotes of higher prices now very rare.
Demand remains static, with factories still getting enough cattle to satisfy demand without having to increase activity in the market.
Cow numbers
While steer and heifer throughput is holding solid, the number of cows in the market has tightened.
Although this is the case, there is no change in prices paid.
P+3 grading cows range from €2.65/kg at the lower end of the market to a top of €2.75/kg to €2.80/kg, with the majority of O grading cows ranging from €2.80/kg to €2.90/kg and a small volume to €2.95/kg.
A high percentage of R grading cows are selling within a price range of €3.00/kg to €3.10/kg, with plants specialising in the cow trade paying 5c/kg higher.
Likewise, U grading cows range mainly from €3.15/kg to €3.25/kg, with the mart trade remaining a good alternative for farmers with low negotiating power.
Bull trade
The bull trade continues to be best described as sluggish for bulls deemed in spec and difficult for bulls falling outside of spec.
A high percentage of U grading bulls are trading within a price range of €3.55/kg to €3.65/kg.
Heavy carcase bulls weighing 430kg to 440kg upwards are the most challenging, with price penalties ranging from 10c/kg to 20c/kg and as much of 40c/kg for bulls weighing upwards of 500kg carcase weight or aged over 24 months of age.
R grading bulls range from €3.40/kg to €3.55/kg, with O grades from €3.20/kg to €3.40/kg, with specialist finishers and producers with good-quality Friesian bulls securing returns of €3.30/kg to €3.40/kg.
Northern trade
There is more bite entering the trade in the North in places, but prices are so far unchanged.
Base U-3 steer and heifer quotes range in factories from £3.30/kg to £3.34/kg, which at Monday evening's exchange rate of 85.3p to the euro equates to €3.87/kg to €3.92/kg - and €4.08/kg to €4.13/kg including VAT at 5.4%.
Deals negotiated at the top of the market are rising to the late £3.30s, with heifers in many cases continuing to attract a 2p/kg premium.
Read more
Average price hits €3,150 at Hereford premier
Traceability a threat to Brazilian beef accessing UK market
In pictures: strong grass buyer demand at Balla Mart
The beef trade is starting the week in a steadier manner, with the majority of quotes settling at a base of €3.70/kg for steers and €3.80/kg for heifers.
There is very little variation from these prices, with quotes of higher prices now very rare.
Demand remains static, with factories still getting enough cattle to satisfy demand without having to increase activity in the market.
Cow numbers
While steer and heifer throughput is holding solid, the number of cows in the market has tightened.
Although this is the case, there is no change in prices paid.
P+3 grading cows range from €2.65/kg at the lower end of the market to a top of €2.75/kg to €2.80/kg, with the majority of O grading cows ranging from €2.80/kg to €2.90/kg and a small volume to €2.95/kg.
A high percentage of R grading cows are selling within a price range of €3.00/kg to €3.10/kg, with plants specialising in the cow trade paying 5c/kg higher.
Likewise, U grading cows range mainly from €3.15/kg to €3.25/kg, with the mart trade remaining a good alternative for farmers with low negotiating power.
Bull trade
The bull trade continues to be best described as sluggish for bulls deemed in spec and difficult for bulls falling outside of spec.
A high percentage of U grading bulls are trading within a price range of €3.55/kg to €3.65/kg.
Heavy carcase bulls weighing 430kg to 440kg upwards are the most challenging, with price penalties ranging from 10c/kg to 20c/kg and as much of 40c/kg for bulls weighing upwards of 500kg carcase weight or aged over 24 months of age.
R grading bulls range from €3.40/kg to €3.55/kg, with O grades from €3.20/kg to €3.40/kg, with specialist finishers and producers with good-quality Friesian bulls securing returns of €3.30/kg to €3.40/kg.
Northern trade
There is more bite entering the trade in the North in places, but prices are so far unchanged.
Base U-3 steer and heifer quotes range in factories from £3.30/kg to £3.34/kg, which at Monday evening's exchange rate of 85.3p to the euro equates to €3.87/kg to €3.92/kg - and €4.08/kg to €4.13/kg including VAT at 5.4%.
Deals negotiated at the top of the market are rising to the late £3.30s, with heifers in many cases continuing to attract a 2p/kg premium.
Read more
Average price hits €3,150 at Hereford premier
Traceability a threat to Brazilian beef accessing UK market
In pictures: strong grass buyer demand at Balla Mart
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