Although the week has opened with most factories officially quoting €3.75/kg for steers and €3.85/kg for heifers, there are plenty of deals at 5c/kg more, with €3.80/kg being paid for steers and €3.90/kg for heifers.
It isn’t the beef trade that is shaping price at present but the weather.
Some farmers on heavier land have been looking to offload cattle and are not in a strong bargaining position.
However, farmers on drier land have more flexibility in choosing their time to sell and are successfully digging in for €3.80/kg on steers and €3.90/kg for heifers.
While the weather may be forcing farmers hands in some parts of the country, particularly the north and west, the more positive news is that the trade for beef remains quite good.
While the steak meat and rib trade generally weakens at this time of year, on the other hand schools have reopened across Ireland’s main beef export markets, which is usually a boost for lower-value meat cuts.
Manufacturing beef for burgers has been strong in all markets throughout the summer. There is also some demand from Northern Ireland for cattle and while the numbers going north may be relatively low, those that are going are doing so at a good price.
Cows
The cow trade remains much the same as at the end of last week, with huge variation between factories depending on their interest in cows.
P+3 grading cows are selling from as low as €3.05/kg to €3.10/kg, but up to €3.25/kg at the higher end of the market.
Similarly, O grading cows range from €3.20/kg to €3.35/kg, with R grades making from €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg and U grades making from €3.50/kg to €3.60/kg. Mart trade for cows is particularly strong and they are an option for farmers looking to sell small numbers of cows and don’t have the strongest bargaining power in the factory.
Bulls
It is also as you were with bulls. R grading bulls are trading anywhere from €3.80/kg to €3.90/kg where traded in mixed lots with U grade bulls.
U grades are selling in general for €3.90/kg to €3.95/kg, with some reports of higher prices paid to specialised finishers.
Bulls under 16 months and trading on the grid are selling in general from a base of €3.80/kg to €3.85/kg.
Irish beef prices off the pace in EU
In pictures: strong trade in Continental weanling heifers at Gortatlea