Mixed signals on beef prices

There have been mixed signals on the prices that factories are willing to pay for beef this week.

What is clear is that out-of-spec cattle are coming under more pressure as the numbers available increase.

However, where farmers are offering in-spec cattle the trade is stable, with €6.30/kg readily available for bullocks – rising to €6.40/kg for sellers with a good batch.

Heifers are making 10c/kg more, with €6.40/kg freely available for in-spec, rising to €6.40/kg again where farmers sell hard and have suitable cattle.

Despite grass being scarce in drought affected areas, there has been no major rush to offload cows and the weekly kill is lower than it was in July.

Plainer O and P-grading cows are trading between €5.70/kg and €5.90/kg, while R grades are making above €6.00/kg to €6.20/kg.