The beef trade is static, with factories fit for stock but unwilling to increase prices paid. Heifers are trading on a base of €3.55/kg to €3.60/kg, with an increasing number moving at the higher quote in recent days.

A high percentage of steers are trading on a base of €3.55/kg, with some plants quoting a similar base to heifers of €3.60/kg to sellers handling significant numbers.

Flat-priced deals for heifers range from €3.60/kg to €3.70/kg for traditional-bred O grading animals in the west to a top of €3.90/kg to €4.00/kg in the northwest for heifers ticking all the boxes on weight, age, quality assurance and Chinese eligibility.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tight supplies

Supplies are reported as being relatively tight, with some producers reluctant to move cattle at the prices on offer. Procurement agents in some plants are ringing finishers in an attempt to source higher numbers, but remain resolute in their stance on prices offered.

As a result, the time frame from booking to slaughter is short, with most buyers willing to accept under-30-month stock instantly or within a couple of days from booking.

Bull and cow trade

The bull and cow trade is also unchanged, with a wider differential remaining in prices paid to sellers handling low numbers and those with greater negotiating power.

R grading bulls range in price from €3.45/kg to €3.50/kg. U grading bulls are trading in the main for €3.55/kg, with prices at the top end of the market 5c/kg higher.

However, it should be noted that where the higher price is on offer, it is accompanied in some cases by tighter carcase weight limits.

Cow prices range anywhere from €2.65/kg to €2.80/kg for P+3 grading types, while O grades are trading from €2.75/kg to a top of €2.90/kg to €2.95/kg.

R grades continue to find it hard to progress above the €3.00/kg mark, with only select deals reported 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.

British trade

The marginal increase in prices in Ireland over the Christmas period was also recorded in Britain. The AHDB reports prime cattle prices increasing by an average of 7.3p/kg over the two-week Christmas period.

R4L steers increased in price by 2.5p/kg to £3.42/kg or the equivalent of €4.02/kg at 85p to the euro and €4.24/kg including VAT at 5.4%. Heifers are steady at an average of 2p/kg lower. The trade has since steadied.

Quotes in Northern Ireland are also steady. U-3 steer and heifer base quotes range in general from £3.30/kg to £3.36/kg, with returns secured by finishers trading at the higher end of the market rising to £3.40/kg.