Despite moves by factories to pull prices back, they have held largely steady. However, sellers trying to secure deals for today (Thursday) and tomorrow are being met in many cases by processors trying to pull base quotes back to €3.60/kg.

Steer prices are most under pressure with the steer kill increasing just over 2,000 head to 14,098. The increase in steers has been directly responsible for total throughput increasing from 28,426 head to 30,521 last week.

Friesian steers are the hardest trade, with some processors trying to impose a 10c/kg lower base price even for quality-assured (QA) steers less than 30 months. Flat-priced deals for O grading steers range from €3.25 to €3.40/kg, with the higher prices available as you move up the country.

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Steers over 30 months of age or non-QA are being discounted 15c to 20c/kg at some plants. Others are reluctant or refusing to handle non-QA stock.

The 30-month age limit and prospect of a lower base price and loss of the QPS in-spec bonus are attracting more steers onto the market.

Finishers also report animals coming fit for slaughter faster on the back of increased daily liveweight gain. With higher performance materialising into higher carcase weights, sellers are advised to check if processors are imposing a maximum weight limit, with some plants reported to be trying to implement weight limits of 400kg.

Concerns over specifications are also putting price pressure on cattle traded in sales. Many mart managers report at least a €100 differential in price between 2012-born stores and 2013-born animals of similar quality, with an increasing differential also developing between dairy-bred stock and continental steers.

Demand for bulls: With bull throughput just over 2,000 head, there is steady demand in the market for good-quality bulls. In general, R grading bulls are selling from €3.45 to €3.55/kg, with U grade bulls selling at the top of the market to €3.70/kg.

Continental bulls aged less than 16 months of age and paid on the grid are low in numbers and are being offered a base of €3.55/kg to €3.60/kg. This excludes the 12c/kg QPS in-spec bonus.

Friesian bulls under 24 months of age are selling from €3.10 to €3.20/kg, with fat score a critical determinant on price. Lots lacking flesh and killing below a carcase grade of 2- are selling back under €3/kg.

Cow kill steady: Cow prices remain at €3.00/kg to €3.10/kg for fleshed O grading cows. Large numbers are trading at €3.15/kg, with prices again strengthening as you move beyond dairy strongholds. P+3 grading cows are selling from €2.85/kg to €3.00/kg where deals are being completed for mixed lots of O and P grades.

With most cows still coming from feeders or dry before slaughter, there are few issues being reported with fat cover. Good-quality R grading cows are selling from €3.20/kg to €3.35/kg, with plants not specialising in the cow trade or lighter carcase cows (under 330kg) selling back to €3.15/kg. Good-quality U grading cows are selling from €3.30 to €3.55/kg.

NI exports increasing: A continued tightening of cattle supplies in the North is gradually increasing the number of animals exported for direct slaughter. A total of 863, or an increase of 120 animals on previous week’s levels, were exported North last week.

Prices are holding steady with base quotes for a U3 grade animal averaging £3.20/kg or the equivalent of €4.20/kg including VAT. This includes bonus payments, but provides opportunities for Irish traders to operate with some plants lessening restrictions due to the tighter supplies.

Guaranteed payment: There are more reports of farmers trading weanlings in weigh-in facilities. Sellers should be fully aware of conditions of sale and payment terms before trading.