The price of prime steer or young bull beef has remained static for the month of February, not just in Ireland but in our main export markets as well. The other striking thing about beef prices is that the US and Australia, traditionally nations of cheap beef, are now paying farmers more than their Irish counterparts receive.

For the US, the gap was in excess of 30c/kg equivalent for cattle purchased during the week ending 25 February. The Australian price was the equivalent of 5c/kg ahead of Ireland, though there is an element of live cattle reports included in the Australian average.

Britain, along with Sweden and Northern Ireland, continues to be the top performer in Europe. R3 steer prices there for week ending 25 February were €4.18/kg compared with the Irish average of €3.72/kg, 46c/kg less. Italian R3 young bull prices recovered after dipping the previous week to €4.03/kg, 31c/kg ahead of Ireland.

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Irish cow prices continue a steady trade, averaging €3.01/kg for O3 grading cows which is 8c/kg ahead of the equivalent cow in Britain. France continues to lead Ireland in the EU cow price league table on €3.11/kg for O3 cows. The cow trade is supported by a strong market globally for manufacturing beef at present.

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