Beef quotes are up another 5c to 10c/kg this week, with the good momentum of the last few weeks now bringing some processors to over €5/kg for heifers this week.

Procurement managers continue to be very anxious for stock and with stock light on the ground, they have had no choice but to increase quotes in order to secure supplies.

The general run of heifers are being bought at €5/kg base price this week, with some bigger suppliers able to squeeze 5c to 10c/kg more out of the market.

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Bullock prices

Bullocks are working off €4.90/kg, with a few larger feeders again able to squeeze €5/kg base price, especially where heifers are part of the deal.

A good deal of Aberdeen Angus heifers continue to be purchased on a flat-price basis and up to €5.30/kg is being paid for suitable quality assured heifers.

While this is likely to be the last week of a big kill, factory appetite for stock for next week and the week after appears good, with many lining up supplies for over the Christmas period.

With bank holidays taking place close to weekends this year, it has meant a more normal working period for factories over the Christmas period.

Cow prices

Cows continue to be an exceptional trade in marts, with factory agents and wholesalers paying the equivalent of over €5/kg for top-quality young cows this week around mart rings.

In the factory lairages, €4.80/kg is the tops for U grading cows, with a lot of processors getting top cows bought at €4.70/kg.

R grading cows working off €4.50/kg to €4.60/kg, while O grading cows are coming in at €4.40/kg. P+3 cows are trading for as high €4.30/kg, depending on carcase weight.

Bulls are also meeting good demand, with €5.20/kg on the table for U grading bulls this week.

R grading bulls are generally coming in at €5/kg, with O and P black and white bulls working off €4.70/kg to €4.80/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €4.90/kg, but some processors have pushed quotes to €4.95/kg base price on the grid to secure bulls.