Base prices are working off a similar level to where they were this time last week, with bullocks working off a €6.70/kg to €6.80/kg base price, while heifers are generally trading for anywhere between €6.80/kg and €7.00/kg.

There have been higher base prices paid to bigger finishers this week, with most finishers doing any sort of number of animals working off a 20c to 25c/kg loyalty bonus.

Flat prices for over-age cattle are not just as plentiful this week, but traditional breeds are still in high demand, with up to €7.20/kg flat price being paid for in-spec Aberdeen Angus bullocks and heifers.

Factory agents are actively ringing around customers looking for supplies.

As a result of the public sector work stoppage taking place on Wednesday, beef factories won’t be killing as a result of unavailable staff from the Department of Agriculture.

This isn’t affecting throughput in factories, as most factories are currently only killing three or four days a week anyway, so it’s just a matter of swapping days around for many.

Active agents

Agents are active in marts, with most of these cattle in the 450kg-plus weight bracket being purchased around €3.70/kg to €4/kg and are being bought for a quick 70- to 100-day finish.

The mart price has lifted in the last two weeks and this has caused some concern in farmer finisher circles, with many still having nightmares about the 2025/2026 winter finishing season and the amount of money that was lost on October cattle purchases.

Bulls are also solid this week, with under-24-month U grading bulls coming in at €6.80/kg to €7.00/kg, with R grading bulls being bought at €6.70/kg to €6.80/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are working off a base price of €6.60/kg to €6.70/kg. Numbers of bulls being presented for slaughter remain small.

Cows

U grading cows have firmed up, with €6.60/kg to €6.70/kg now on the table for well-fleshed heavy U grading cows.

O grading cows are working off a quote of €6.30/kg to €6.40/kg this week, with P+3 cows coming in at €6.10/kg to €6.20/kg, depending on weight and flesh cover.

Factory agents are also very active in marts for dairy cows, with up to €3.50/kg being paid for fleshed P grading cows this week by specialised cow finishers and agents.