While most factories are killing three days this week – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – the reality is that a lot of cattle being killed this week were bought last week so no real change has been seen in this week’s quotes.

Bullocks are generally being bought at a €5.00/kg base price with a little more going to bigger suppliers and regular customers.

Heifers are generally working off €5.05-€5.10/kg, with again a little more going to the bigger feeders.

The outlook remains positive, with prime cattle set to continue very tight for the first quarter of 2023.

While factories will spin lots of stories about credit card bills and the post-Christmas lull, there is nothing to suggest any drop-off in demand or increase in supply in the next few weeks.

While prices have crept up in recent times, the reality remains that we are still a long way off the €6/kg required to break even for winter finishers.

Bargain hard

The advice to finishers with cattle to sell is to bargain hard and price around to see what’s the best offer on your cattle.

Herefords and Aberdeen Angus in-spec bullocks and heifers continue to be bought at a flat-rate price in big numbers, especially in the west.

Prices of €5.30-€5.35/kg are on the table for Aberdeen Angus, with Herefords generally working off 10c/kg less.

A lot of finishers killing spring 2021-born heifers and bullocks over the last few weeks have opted for a flat-price sell as it takes the risk out of the possible penalties on O grading animals.

Bulls continue to be in demand, with U grading bulls continuing to be bought at €5.30/kg this week in some factories.

R grading bulls are coming in at €5.10/kg, with P grading bulls being bought at €4.80-€4.90/kg. Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €4.90-€5.00/kg on the grid.

Cows are also very steady, with €4.60-€4.70/kg being quoted for U grading cows this week.

R grading cows are working off €4.40-€4.50/kg, with O grades coming in at €4.30/kg.

There is still a large amount of P grading dairy cows coming to the market with anything from €3.80-€4.20/kg being quoted depending on type and flesh cover.

There is reduced appetite for parlour cows lacking flesh, with some factories quoting a slow as €2/kg for some lighter cows lacking flesh.

NI comment

The beef trade in Northern Ireland remains in a positive position, with quotes still at 434p/kg (€5.26/kg including VAT).

Steers are being bought at 452/kg (€5.48/kg incl VAT) while heifers are being bought at 454p/kg (€5.50/kg incl VAT).

Regular suppliers have been able to squeeze more out of the market for supplying cattle this week.

Cows also continue to move really well, with 380p/kg (€4.60/kg incl VAT) being paid for good-quality suckler cows.

No change has been seen in beef quotes across the water in Britain this week with supply and demand remaining relatively balanced to close out 2022.