While the Mercosur trade deal has made all the headlines over the weekend, beef prices have remained relatively unchanged on Monday morning.

Good weather has shifted farmers' interests to silage and hay making in the last few days, which will create a small lull in supplies in the coming days.

Hard to shift

The word from the trade is that beef is hard to shift across Europe, with UK consumption down 6% year on year.

While everybody is talking about Mercosur, it will be at least three to five years before the deal is ratified and its impact felt on the ground.

Brexit remains the imminent threat to Irish beef producers.

Quotes unchanged

Beef quotes across the country remain relatively unchanged this morning.

There is hope in the trade that warm weather across Europe will lift demand from BBQ meat sales

Steers are moving at a base of €3.70/kg for R3, while R3 heifers are moving at €3.80/kg, with some higher prices being achieved for deals done early last week for cattle.

There are some reports of factories trying to buy cattle 5c cheaper, but no cattle are moving at these prices.

There is hope in the trade that warm weather across Europe will lift demand from BBQ meat sales.

Young bulls

The young bull market is a different story, with quotes ranging from €3.60 to €3.70 around the country.

Hard sellers are holding out for €3.70/kg.

Prices for young bulls up to 24 months are around the €3.65/kg mark for Rs and €3.75/kg for Us.

IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said factories are undermining the sector and beef farmers' livelihoods with the current beef prices.

"The current price cuts are inflicting untold damage on a very vulnerable sector at a most critical time for the future of beef farming in Ireland."

An ICSA/INHFA and Beef Plan protest blocking factory gates continues outside Kepak in Athleague this morning.

Organisers have said the protest will continue until beef quotes rise to €3.90/kg and lamb quotes rise to €5.20/kg.