The beef trade remains steady and, if anything, there are signs of a bit more life in places.
The majority of cattle are moving from a base of €3.60/kg for steers and heifers, but there are deals reported in recent days showing there is a bit more life in places.
Regular sellers and producers trading at the higher end of the market have secured an extra 5c/kg, with more scope tending to be with heifers to increase base prices.
No change in price
There is no real change in prices paid for other categories of stock. R grading bulls are trading in the main from €3.50/kg to €3.55/kg, but, again, there are some reports of 5c/kg higher deals.
It is a similar case for U grades, with the general range from €3.60/kg to €3.65/kg, while bulls less than 16 months and trading on the grid are being offered a base ranging anywhere from €3.50/kg to €3.60/kg.
There has been an increase in the number of stock bulls drafted for slaughter
This is very much dependent on the appetite of factories for bulls less than 16 months of age and the producer-processor relationship.
O grading bulls are trading from €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg. There has been an increase in the number of stock bulls drafted for slaughter in recent weeks, which is not surprising, with R / U grading bulls typically ranging from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg.
Variation in cow quotes
There is also significant variation in cow quotes, depending on the plant in question and the strength of the seller.
P+3 grading cows are trading anywhere from €2.80/kg to €3.00/kg, while O grades are moving from €2.95/kg to €3.10/kg.
R grades are meeting an equally wide differential of €3.10/kg to €3.30/kg, with some deals reported at a higher price for young and well-fleshed cows.
Cuts of up to 70c/kg to €1/kg have been imposed on very poorly covered cows
Producers drafting cows direct from the parlour or selling beef-bred cows lacking flesh should be mindful of potential cuts for cows lacking significant flesh.
Cuts of up to 70c/kg to €1/kg have been imposed on very poorly covered cows with a light carcase weight of fat cover of 1.
It is worth specifying what cuts may be applicable before moving cows and then weighing up whether the factory or mart is the best outlet.
Beef finisher deadline
It is important to note that the deadline for applying for the beef finisher payment of €100 per head on eligible animals is fast approaching on Wednesday 9 September.
The scheme does not have any stocking rate reduction clause, as the BEAM scheme did, with the only stipulation being that farmers must be members of the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance scheme or commit to joining it.
Read more
Application deadline looms for Beef Finisher Payment
Newford update: first bullocks slaughtered and final breeding results
Light steers dominate prices in Birr
The beef trade remains steady and, if anything, there are signs of a bit more life in places.
The majority of cattle are moving from a base of €3.60/kg for steers and heifers, but there are deals reported in recent days showing there is a bit more life in places.
Regular sellers and producers trading at the higher end of the market have secured an extra 5c/kg, with more scope tending to be with heifers to increase base prices.
No change in price
There is no real change in prices paid for other categories of stock. R grading bulls are trading in the main from €3.50/kg to €3.55/kg, but, again, there are some reports of 5c/kg higher deals.
It is a similar case for U grades, with the general range from €3.60/kg to €3.65/kg, while bulls less than 16 months and trading on the grid are being offered a base ranging anywhere from €3.50/kg to €3.60/kg.
There has been an increase in the number of stock bulls drafted for slaughter
This is very much dependent on the appetite of factories for bulls less than 16 months of age and the producer-processor relationship.
O grading bulls are trading from €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg. There has been an increase in the number of stock bulls drafted for slaughter in recent weeks, which is not surprising, with R / U grading bulls typically ranging from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg.
Variation in cow quotes
There is also significant variation in cow quotes, depending on the plant in question and the strength of the seller.
P+3 grading cows are trading anywhere from €2.80/kg to €3.00/kg, while O grades are moving from €2.95/kg to €3.10/kg.
R grades are meeting an equally wide differential of €3.10/kg to €3.30/kg, with some deals reported at a higher price for young and well-fleshed cows.
Cuts of up to 70c/kg to €1/kg have been imposed on very poorly covered cows
Producers drafting cows direct from the parlour or selling beef-bred cows lacking flesh should be mindful of potential cuts for cows lacking significant flesh.
Cuts of up to 70c/kg to €1/kg have been imposed on very poorly covered cows with a light carcase weight of fat cover of 1.
It is worth specifying what cuts may be applicable before moving cows and then weighing up whether the factory or mart is the best outlet.
Beef finisher deadline
It is important to note that the deadline for applying for the beef finisher payment of €100 per head on eligible animals is fast approaching on Wednesday 9 September.
The scheme does not have any stocking rate reduction clause, as the BEAM scheme did, with the only stipulation being that farmers must be members of the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance scheme or commit to joining it.
Read more
Application deadline looms for Beef Finisher Payment
Newford update: first bullocks slaughtered and final breeding results
Light steers dominate prices in Birr
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