The beef trade remains in a positive position this week with factories anxious for stock.

Demand has exceeded supply for the last few weeks, meaning quotes have increased on where they were two weeks ago.

Bullocks are working off a base price of €6.60-€6.70/kg, with more going to regular customers and larger feeders.

Heifers are moving at base prices of €6.70-€6.80/kg, with heifers in good demand.

Flat prices are still popular this week – with €7.20/kg on the table for over 30-month heifers in a number of locations. Aberdeen Angus cattle are also in demand, with as high as €7.20/kg paid for in-spec Aberdeen Angus heifers this week, where numbers were involved. A number of factories are also throwing in haulage.

Prices north of the border have increased this week with £6.20/kg (€7.53/kg including VAT) leaving the gap on an in-spec R= bullock at 73 cent/kg or €277/head on a 380kg carcase.

Bulls

Bulls are also solid this week, with under 24-month U grading bulls coming in at €6.70/kg to €6.80/kg, with R grading bulls being bought at €6.60/kg to €6.70/kg. Under 16-month bulls are working off a base price of €6.50/kg to €6.60/kg, but numbers are very small.

Cows

There is also more life in the cow trade this week, with €6.50/kg available for well-fleshed R grading cows. U grading cows have firmed up a little, with €6.60/kg now on the table for well-fleshed heavy U grading cows.

The mart continues to be the place of choice for many smaller suckler farmers to offload cows, with factory agents going above what is available in factories when buying cows in marts.

O grading cows are working off a quote of €6.20/kg to €6.30/kg this week, with P+3 cows coming in at €6.00/kg to €6.10/kg, depending on weight and flesh cover.