The mood in the beef trade remains downbeat, with ongoing pressure on cow prices adding to a static prime cattle trade.

Steers and heifers continue to trade on a base of €3.75/kg and €3.85/kg respectively.

There is very little variation from these prices with select deals reported 5c/kg higher.

Thick and fast

Factory agents report numbers continuing to come thick and fast, as producers draft the last cattle off grass, while numbers of shed-finished cattle are appearing in greater volumes.

With last week’s kill likely to have surpassed the 40,000 head mark again and another big kill on the cards for this week, it is reducing pressure on agents to compete in the market.

Cows

This is particularly the case for cows, with numbers on offer increasing at a time when factories are focusing more attention on steers, heifers and young bulls for the Christmas trade.

P+3 grading cows are quoted from €2.75/kg to €2.85/kg, with a similar price range also present for O grades, which are trading on average from €2.90/kg to €3.05/kg.

There are some sellers with supply arrangements with cow-specialist plants exceeding these prices, with firm demand in particular for heavy R and U grading cows.

Prices reported this week range anywhere from €3.20/kg to €3.35/kg, with U grades rising to €3.50/kg and higher for top-quality young cows.

Producers with such cows and struggling to negotiate with factories should look at all alternatives, with the mart trade a good option.

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