Beef prices have stagnated with steers moving at a base of €3.90/kg and heifers at a base of €4.00/kg.

Last week’s kill reached 32,017 head for a second consecutive week, allowing factories to maintain control of the trade. Plants are also continuing to penalise what they deem as out-of-specification stock with carcase weight limits and age limits being raised more in discussions on price.

The IFA Livestock Committee chair Henry Burns has criticised the factories’ purchasing activity.

He said: “Farmers are very frustrated that cattle prices are not rising.

“Based on prices in our largest market, the UK, exceeding the equivalent of €5.20/kg including VAT, factories can well afford to lift prices now, especially with the peak Christmas kill in motion.”

Demand for cows is being affected by a focus on building supplies for the Christmas market. The main purchasing activity for the Christmas market is likely to last for about another two weeks.