As we begin the week, €3.65/kg is still the going rate for in-spec heifers, with bullocks trading 5c/kg behind that at €3.60/kg base before any in-spec or QPS bonuses are paid.

Meanwhile, €3.70/kg is still being paid for small numbers of deals for heifers where numbers and quality are in the mix.

Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cattle are still in demand, with bonuses of 10c to 15c/kg available for suitable cattle.

Anxious for supplies

Factories are anxious for supplies and are busy lining up supplies for the next two weeks.

Some are also hammering out deals for the second half of November killing supplies for Christmas.

It’s also understood that some large UK customers have placed some big orders in advance of a no-deal Brexit. Factories will likely start organising cattle to fill these orders in the coming two to three weeks.

Bull trade

It’s a similar story in the bull trade as well this week, with under-16-month bulls trading off €3.50/kg to €3.60/kg on the grid.

Older R grading bulls are at €3.50/kg to €3.55/kg, with U grades coming in on average 10c/kg higher at €3.60/kg to €3.70/kg.

There still appears to be some scope around no penalties on heavy bulls. Lesser-grading dairy-cross bulls are generally trading at €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg.

Cow trade

The cow trade is also similar to last week, with P+3 cows trading at €3.00/kg to €3.10/kg. O grading cows are generally moving at €3.10/kg to €3.15/kg, with good R and U grading cows trading for as high as €3.30/kg to €3.45/kg in some plants, depending on numbers and quality.

Cows lacking flesh are at the lower end of the pricing scale.

Store cattle remain a good trade in marts relative to where the beef price is at and farmers are advised that the mart is a better option for cattle underfinished or requiring further feeding.

Trade to the north is a little easier over the last few days, but southern-based factory feedlots have increased activity over the last seven to 10 days purchasing store and forward cattle for further finishing.

Agents are mostly in the market for Aberdeen Angus and Hereford animals.