The beef trade has continued to kick on this week, with another 10c/kg added to base quotes on Monday.

Bullocks have moved up to €6.40/kg in a number of locations, with €6.50/kg now also on the table as a base price for heifers.

Some farmers who are dealing in higher numbers have been able to get 10c/kg more than the quoted prices above.

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Flat prices of €7/kg are now available for in-spec Aberdeen Angus bullocks and heifers, with flat quotes lifting over 20c/kg in the last week.

Factory agents are finding it difficult to source sufficient numbers of finished cattle and have moved to marts to try to source sufficient numbers for their weekly supplies.

Prices being paid have raised a few eyebrows around mart rings, with heavy cattle weighing between 700kg and 800kg selling for over €4/kg in a lot of cases this week.

A pen of 21 Aberdeen Angus bullocks weighing 719kg sold for €2,900 in Gortatlea Mart in Kerry at the end of last week.

At a 52% kill-out, these bullocks come into a 374kg carcase. At €2,900, that means a beef price of close to €8/kg would be needed when haulage and commission are paid on the above lot of bullocks.

This wasn’t the only mart where heavy cattle made a lot more than the factory would return, with agents clashing in a number of locations last week.

Cows

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

U grading cows are now being bought at €6.20/kg to €6.30/kg, with higher prices going to regular cow sellers and specialist feeders.

O grading cows are being bought for around €6.00/kg to €6.10/kg. P+3 cows are coming in at €5.90/kg to €6/kg.

Some of the specialist cow producers have been able to squeeze a €6/kg flat price for mixes of O and P grading dairy cows this week. Fleshed Friesian cows have hit €3/kg this week in marts.

Bulls

R grading bulls are coming in at €6.30/kg to €6.40/kg, with U grading bulls being quoted at €6.50/kg to €6.60/kg, depending on numbers and type.

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

Over-age bulls are generally working off a price of €6.10/kg to €6.30/kg, depending on grades and flesh cover. Under-16-month bulls are working off a €6.30/kg base price on the grid.