The beef trade remains under pressure this week with agents continuing to talk down the trade at every opportunity.

This week’s base quotes range from €6.30/kg to €6.40/kg for bullocks, with heifers working off a base range of €6.40/kg to €6.50/kg.

Some factories are holding hard to a €6.30/kg base price for bullocks while others are working off a base price similar to last week.

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Procurement managers are also stretching out supplies, killing smaller numbers for some farmers on a weekly basis to get cattle into the factory over a number of weeks rather than all in one go.

Flat prices for Aberdeen Angus cattle have also dropped 10c/kg in the last 10 days with a flat price of €6.55/kg now being quoted in some factories.

Breed bonuses where available are still in the range of 10c to 20c/kg for in-spec Aberdeen Angus and Hereford bullocks and heifers.

Cows

R grading cows are being priced at €6.10- €6.20/kg, with more going to those with numbers.

U grading cows are generally now being bought at €6.20/kg to €6.40/kg, with higher prices going to regular cow sellers and specialist feeders.

O grading cows are being bought for around €6.00/kg. P+3 cows are coming in at €5.80/kg to €5.90/kg, with some factories quoting lower for very light cows.

R grading bulls are coming in at €6.40/kg to €6.50/kg, with U grading bulls being quoted at €6.50/kg to €6.60/kg.

O grading bulls are working off an all-in price of €6.20/kg to €6.40/kg, while P grading bulls are being quoted at €6.10/kg to €6.30/kg, depending on weight and flesh cover.

Over-age bulls are generally working off a price of €6.20/kg to €6.30/kg, depending on grades and flesh cover.

Under-16-month bulls are working off a €6.30/kg to €6.40/kg base price on the grid.

Speaking to mart managers the heavy cattle trade has also come back in line with factory quotes with a price reduction evident across the board for all types of cattle.