Last week’s beef kill increased by another 748 head to reach 39,623hd, the highest kill since 11 October 2008, when the kill was recorded at 40,675hd.

The record high is driven by an insatiable factory appetite for cattle. The increase of 748 cattle stems from higher cow, heifer and young bull throughput, with steers and aged bulls somewhat lower.

Base prices for steers rose from €3.85/kg to €3.90/kg.

The heifer kill rose to over 10,300hd as factories were particularly keen for in-spec stock for filling Christmas orders.

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Prices at the top of the market rose to a base of €3.95/kg to €4.00/kg, along with allowances on transport in cases.