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The beef trade is starting the week in a similar vein as last week.
Steers and heifers are trading in the main at a base price range of €3.60/kg to €3.65/kg. There are select deals being completed at a 5c/kg higher base for heifers but reports indicate it is harder to negotiate above standard base quotes for steers.
The number of heifers coming fit off grass is slowly starting to increase, with a significant percentage comprising traditionally bred types. Demand for Angus cattle is particularly strong, with flat-priced deals ranging on average from €3.85/kg to €3.95/kg; as high as €4.00/kg has been paid to regular suppliers for large batches.
Cow pressure
Factory agents are using the seasonal increase of cows coming on to the market to maintain downward price pressure. P+3 grade cows are trading from €2.70/kg to €2.80/kg, with O grades from €2.85/kg to €2.95/kg.
R grades are selling in a wide differential, with prices starting at €3.00/kg and rising to €3.15/kg to €3.20/kg.
The pressure on the trade is now starting to be felt in the mart trade, with agents in some sales not willing to compete with the same intensity.
A price of €3.50/kg is buying a high number of R grading bulls less than 24 months of age with U grades moving in the main at a price of €3.60/kg. Factories are willing to offer allowances on weight rather than increase prices paid, with many producers securing carcase weight limits of 430kg to 440kg without incurring any penalties.
Bulls less than 16 months and trading on the grid are trading in a price range of a base of €3.55/kg to €3.65/kg. The higher prices are more restrictive on carcase weights, with some plants trying to operate an upper weight limit of 400kg.
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