The beef trade continues to move in a positive direction this week with agents having nudge quotes up again this week in order to get cattle. Numbers remain very tight on the ground with agents sighting issues sourcing enough numbers for this week’s slaughter.

This has pointed some processors back in the direction of their own supplies with some having to pull hard from their own sheds to prop up their weekly kill. There have been 305,000 head of cattle slaughtered out of controlled finishing units up until the end of September 2025, up 11,000 head of cattle on the same period in 2024.

The number of cattle slaughtered out of these units dropped to 27,500 in line with a huge drop in the cattle kill. Comparing August 2024 v August 2025, the proportion of cattle killed from these units as a proportion of the total amount of cattle killed went from 23.2% last year to 26.7% this year.

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There is a range in this morning’s quotes but the top quote for heifers is coming in at €7.35/kg base price for continental heifers.

More factories have been able to buy heifers at a base price of €7.30/kg. Bullocks are working off a base price of €7.20/kg in the main with more going where numbers are involved. Breed bonuses of 25c/kg are on the table for in spec Aberdeen Angus bullocks and heifers. The general consensus is that quotes will continue to edge upwards in the week’s ahead as supplies stay behind the current demand that is required.

Cows

The cow trade is steady, with agents actively sourcing slaughter-fit cows in marts. R grading cows are generally trading at €7.00/kg to €7.10/kg, while O grading cows are coming in around €6.80/kg to €6.90/kg, depending on weight and flesh cover. P+3 grading cows are back to €6.60/kg in some locations, but €6.80/kg is also available, especially where numbers are involved.

Bulls

Up to €7.60/kg is available at the top end for U grading bulls where numbers are involved, working back to €7.20/kg to €7.30/kg for O grades. Under-16-month-old bulls are working off a base price of €7.10/kg, with a little more going to those with numbers.