While factories have been eager for supplies they have been slow to increase the price this week, at least to farmer clients.

Heifers are generally trading off €3.75/kg to €3.80/kg with bullocks €0.05/kg behind at €3.70/kg to €3.80/kg base price.

Many processors have turned to their larger feedlot finishers to offer bonuses and increased quotes to supply cattle for the next two weeks in a bid to increase throughput.

Last week’s kill increased by 1,309 head to 35,758 head. For the last few weeks, Irish processors have been stockpiling chilled beef in the UK as part of their contingency planning in the event of a hard Brexit. This will continue and will likely accelerate if a no-deal Brexit looks more likely in the coming days.

Processing demand

North of the border, processing demand is rock solid and price deals are holding steady with in-spec steers on 376p/kg (€4.40/kg), with heifers generally moving at 380p/kg (€4.45p/kg), with more on offer for regular finishers supplying bigger numbers.