Following the two-day protest and with most independent plants not processing cattle, the beef trade resumed yesterday (Wednesday) on a base quote of €3.75/kg for steers and €3.80/kg for heifers.

At the top of the market, farmers with large lots and specialised finishers are securing a base of €3.80/kg for steers and €3.85/kg for heifers. A base of €3.90/kg for heifers was reported in the northwest for choice lots of young continental heifers.

Throughput yesterday and today was boosted by farmers moving grass cattle due to deteriorating weather and ground conditions.

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Despite the higher offering, many agents comment that supplies of grass-finished cattle are drying up fast. The tightening is coming as factories enter peak processing activity for the Christmas market.

Flat priced deals for O grading underage Friesian steers range from €3.45/kg to €3.60/kg, with prices strongest as you move up the country. Butcher and wholesale-type heifers are selling flat for €3.80/kg to €3.85/kg for Angus and Hereford heifers.

Last week’s bull kill totalled just 1,930 head. In general, bulls are trading at €3.75/kg for R grades and €3.85/kg for U grades, with weight allowances in most cases being waived to secure deals.

At the top of the market, a price of €3.90/kg is being paid for choice bulls, excluding specialised or producer group bonuses. The numbers of bulls trading under 16 months of age is small, with plants paying on the grid offering a base of €3.75/kg. This excludes the 12c/kg QPS bonus.

The cow trade is steady, with last week’s throughput exceeding 9,000 cows. O grading Friesian cows are selling from €3.05/kg to €3.20/kg, with O grade continental cows selling to €3.30/kg. P+3 grading cows are selling from €2.90 to €3.10/kg (in mixed loads) with a 10c to 15c/kg cut for cows with a lower flesh cover of 3-/= in some plants.

R grading cows continue to trade from €3.35/kg to €3.45/kg, with heavy U grade cows selling to €3.60/kg in specialised plants.

The Northern trade remains unchanged, with a base quote for U-3 trading at £3.58/kg or the equivalent of €4.78/kg including VAT. Exports of cattle for direct slaughter remain low at 653 head.

IFA National Livestock Committee chairman Henry Burns said, after the protests this week, the steel and resolve of farmers has never been stronger and they are determined that prices will kick on.

Highest weekly kill: Last week’s highest kill of the year at 37,509 head was partly driven by factories increasing activity to build supplies ahead of this week’s two-day protest.

To date, there are 1.42m cattle processed, an increase of 136,932 head on the previous year’s levels.

Live exports: A shipment of 1,675 continental and Friesian bulls was sent to Libya by Quinn International last week. Demand has increased, with an easing in the Irish trade bringing prices closer in line for trading.

The Italian market has been tougher in recent weeks, with a weakening in the Italian trade and steady weanling prices in the Irish market limiting trading. 272 bulls and 170 heifers were exported to Italy in the week ending 2 November.