After weeks of higher than normal throughput, cattle supplies finally appear to be tightening significantly.
Last week’s beef kill reduced by another 1,331 head, with steer throughput falling by over 800 head, while there were 415 fewer cows and 407 fewer heifers processed.
The total kill of 32,263 cattle is still running 755 head above 2017 levels, but has come back in line compared with previous weeks’ differences. Total throughput for the year to date, at 568,552 head, is running 21,022 ahead.
Agents report phones becoming much quieter in recent days. There has been no sharp increase in prices paid, rather a gradual rise over the week.
Average prices paid have increased by 3c/kg to 5c/kg, with steers trading at a base of €4.05/kg to €4.10/kg, while heifers are trading at a base of €4.15/kg to €4.20/kg.
Agents are keen to tie into deals involving higher numbers and this is witnessing top prices paid rising to a base of €4.15/kg for steers and €4.25/kg for heifers.
Factories are also utilising their own feedlot or contracted cattle, with the ABP group in particular active in recent weeks in purchasing replacement forward stores.
The bull trade is solid, with specialist finishers again sensing more selling power and holding out for higher prices.
A top price of €4.10/kg for R grading young bulls and €4.20/kg for U grades was secured last week by a small cohort of specialist finishers.
Prices paid to sellers with smaller numbers range back to €4.05/kg for R grades and €4.10/kg to €4.15/kg for U grades, but, again, there is gradual upward movement, with large lots of O grading bulls rising to €4.00/kg.
Bulls less than 16 months and trading on the grid are selling on a base of €4.05/kg to €4.10/kg.
Finishers should take note of desired carcase weights, with some plants offering the higher price for carcases less than 420kg to 430kg.
Cows remain a great trade. P+3 grading cows are selling anywhere from €3.30/kg to €3.45/kg, with O grades from €3.40/kg to €3.60/kg.
R grading cows are trading in general from €3.60/kg to €3.70/kg, but specialist plants have paid up to €3.80/kg and higher for heavy R and U grading cows.
Northern trade
The northern trade also continues to creep upwards, with agents facing a similar challenge in sourcing similar numbers heading into next week.
The majority of plants have moved to a U-3 base entry quote of £3.60/kg, which at a stronger sterling exchange rate of 88.2p to the euro equates to €4.08/kg, rising to €4.30/kg when VAT is included at 5.4%.
Sellers with numbers on hand are pushing prices to the mid-£3.60s, while those trading at the top of the market are having more success in pushing prices towards £3.70/kg (€4.42/kg) or even higher.
The number of cattle moving from south to north for direct slaughter was recorded at just 85 head last week, with the year-to-date figure of 1,100 head running a long way behind 2017 levels of 4,082 head.
Northern plants which imported high numbers in the past are still sourcing Irish beef, but in carcase form to overcome labelling issues.
Recent analysis shows 25% of all beef processed in Northern Ireland originating south of the border.
British beef prices continue to creep upwards, with last week’s average prices rising 1p/kg.
R4L steers and heifers average £3.75/kg (€4.48/kg), while R3 young bulls are approaching £3.65/kg (€4.36/kg).
Read more
Positive moves in beef trade as prices harden
Download the Irish Farmers Journal news app today and get the latest prices for all grades and all factories through the built-in Livestock Tool
After weeks of higher than normal throughput, cattle supplies finally appear to be tightening significantly.
Last week’s beef kill reduced by another 1,331 head, with steer throughput falling by over 800 head, while there were 415 fewer cows and 407 fewer heifers processed.
The total kill of 32,263 cattle is still running 755 head above 2017 levels, but has come back in line compared with previous weeks’ differences. Total throughput for the year to date, at 568,552 head, is running 21,022 ahead.
Agents report phones becoming much quieter in recent days. There has been no sharp increase in prices paid, rather a gradual rise over the week.
Average prices paid have increased by 3c/kg to 5c/kg, with steers trading at a base of €4.05/kg to €4.10/kg, while heifers are trading at a base of €4.15/kg to €4.20/kg.
Agents are keen to tie into deals involving higher numbers and this is witnessing top prices paid rising to a base of €4.15/kg for steers and €4.25/kg for heifers.
Factories are also utilising their own feedlot or contracted cattle, with the ABP group in particular active in recent weeks in purchasing replacement forward stores.
The bull trade is solid, with specialist finishers again sensing more selling power and holding out for higher prices.
A top price of €4.10/kg for R grading young bulls and €4.20/kg for U grades was secured last week by a small cohort of specialist finishers.
Prices paid to sellers with smaller numbers range back to €4.05/kg for R grades and €4.10/kg to €4.15/kg for U grades, but, again, there is gradual upward movement, with large lots of O grading bulls rising to €4.00/kg.
Bulls less than 16 months and trading on the grid are selling on a base of €4.05/kg to €4.10/kg.
Finishers should take note of desired carcase weights, with some plants offering the higher price for carcases less than 420kg to 430kg.
Cows remain a great trade. P+3 grading cows are selling anywhere from €3.30/kg to €3.45/kg, with O grades from €3.40/kg to €3.60/kg.
R grading cows are trading in general from €3.60/kg to €3.70/kg, but specialist plants have paid up to €3.80/kg and higher for heavy R and U grading cows.
Northern trade
The northern trade also continues to creep upwards, with agents facing a similar challenge in sourcing similar numbers heading into next week.
The majority of plants have moved to a U-3 base entry quote of £3.60/kg, which at a stronger sterling exchange rate of 88.2p to the euro equates to €4.08/kg, rising to €4.30/kg when VAT is included at 5.4%.
Sellers with numbers on hand are pushing prices to the mid-£3.60s, while those trading at the top of the market are having more success in pushing prices towards £3.70/kg (€4.42/kg) or even higher.
The number of cattle moving from south to north for direct slaughter was recorded at just 85 head last week, with the year-to-date figure of 1,100 head running a long way behind 2017 levels of 4,082 head.
Northern plants which imported high numbers in the past are still sourcing Irish beef, but in carcase form to overcome labelling issues.
Recent analysis shows 25% of all beef processed in Northern Ireland originating south of the border.
British beef prices continue to creep upwards, with last week’s average prices rising 1p/kg.
R4L steers and heifers average £3.75/kg (€4.48/kg), while R3 young bulls are approaching £3.65/kg (€4.36/kg).
Read more
Positive moves in beef trade as prices harden
Download the Irish Farmers Journal news app today and get the latest prices for all grades and all factories through the built-in Livestock Tool
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