There is a standoff between some suppliers and factory agents, with producers realising there is more bite in the beef trade and holding out for higher prices while factory agents dig in hard.

Prices paid are a base of €3.90/kg for steers and €4.00/kg for heifers but there are reports of sellers with greater negotiating power holding out for a 5c/kg higher base price. IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said: “farmers should insist on a price well above the quoted level.”