Bullocks remain in demand, with base prices continuing to hover around the €6.70/kg to €6.80/kg mark.
Heifers are also being sought, with up to €6.90/kg base price being paid in some factories this week.
Most heifers are being bought at a base price of €6.80/kg.
Flat prices as high as €7.20/kg are being paid for mixes of under-age and over-age cattle, with no issues on weights in most locations.
In-spec Aberdeen Angus bulls and heifers are also in demand, with €7.20/kg flat price available for mixes of bullocks and heifers.
There continues to be a 20c/kg bonus available on top of base prices for in-spec Aberdeen Angus bullocks and heifers.
Big demand
Industry sources are commenting on the big demand from UK retailers in advance of the peak Christmas trade at the beginning of December.
The next four weeks are the busiest time for filling those orders and factory agents have been told to lose no cattle for the next few weeks.
Bulls are also solid this week, with under-24-month U grading bulls coming in at €6.80/kg to €7.00/kg, with R grading bulls being bought at €6.70/kg to €6.80/kg.
Under-16-month bulls are working off a base price of €6.60/kg to €6.70/kg. The numbers of bulls being presented for slaughter remains small.
Stock bulls are also in demand, with as much as €5.90/kg being paid for heavy stock bulls by some factories this week.
Cows
U grading cows have firmed up, with €6.60/kg to €6.70/kg now on the table for well-fleshed heavy U grading cows.
O grading cows are working off a quote of €6.30/kg to €6.40/kg this week, with P+3 cows coming in at €6.10/kg to €6.20/kg, depending on weight and flesh cover.
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