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Last week’s kill was predicted by many to tighten, with supplies of steers and heifers forecast as falling.
Steer throughput fell by 1,303 head to 10,030, but this was compensated for by the cow kill rising 1,354 head to 8,281.
The heifer kill also eased slightly by 210 head, but, again, an increase of 370 head in the number of bulls processed increased the overall weekly kill by 236 head to 31,489.
There has been no real change in prices paid. Steers, in general, are trading on a base of €4.10/kg, with sellers handling lower numbers struggling to exceed this price.
Producers handling significant numbers of 20-plus steers are having limited success in achieving a base price of €4.12/kg to €4.15/kg, with regular suppliers also falling into this bracket.
There is more scope to negotiate a higher base of €4.25/kg for heifers.
There are still some trading at a base of €4.20/kg, but numbers are reducing.
At the top of the market, a base of €4.28/kg has been reported for deals involving large numbers with regular suppliers.
Numbers are also dictating prices paid in the cow and bull trade. R and U grade bulls are selling in the main for €4.05/kg and €4.15/kg.
Regular sellers in cases are securing a flat price of €4.10/kg for R grades, with some paid a flat price of €4.15/kg where numbers traded are mainly U grades.
There are only small numbers of Friesian bulls moving, with prices on average ranging from €3.85/kg to €4.00/kg for good O grades, with prices at the higher end for deals involving larger numbers.
Producers with bulls less than 16 months are being offered a base quote of €4.05/kg, with difficulties reported in increasing this to a base of €4.10/kg or higher.
Cows are a super trade in direct factory sales and marts. P+3 grades are selling from €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg in general, while O grades are ranging from €3.50/kg to €3.55/kg.
Again, sellers with greater negotiating power are securing 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.
R grades are trading from €3.60/kg to €3.65/kg in the main, with plants very active in the cow trade rising to €3.75/kg for fleshed heavy R and U grade continental cows.
Northern trade
The northern trade continues to move upward, with prices rising by 2p/kg to 3p/kg in the last week.
U-3 base steer and heifer quotes range from £3.58/kg to £3.60/kg, which at an exchange rate of 86p to the euro equates to €4.39/kg to €4.41/kg including VAT at 5.4%.
Similar to the south, producers with higher numbers and supplying regularly are securing higher prices, with returns reported ranging from the mid- to high-£3.60s.
Heifers also seem to be generating the best demand, while cows are a solid trade.
R grade continental cows are selling in the main for £3.00/kg (€3.68/kg), with O grades selling back to £2.80/kg (€3.43/kg).
The number of cattle exported south for direct slaughter doubled to 305 head last week, while the number of cattle imported for direct slaughter remains steady at a low level of 273 head. Imports from Britain were 134 head.
The northern kill is also holding steady, with 6,832 prime cattle and 1,755 cows processed in the last week.
The British beef price has also increased 2p/kg to 3p/kg. R4L steers and heifers are averaging £3.68/kg to £3.70/kg (€4.51/kg to €4.53/kg), while cows are also going against the seasonal price curve, rising 3p/kg to £2.70/kg for O4L grades (€3.31/kg).
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