The beef trade has remained relatively stable this week for the second week in a row after a number of weeks of reducing quotes. Bullocks have remained at a base price of €6.60/kg, while heifers are working off a base price of €6.70/kg. There are fewer delays in getting cattle killed, with agents generally active looking for stock this week.
There are still issues getting breed bonuses in some factories, with bonuses for both Hereford and Aberdeen Angus cattle harder to come by in some locations in the lats few weeks.
Finishers continue to be squeezed, with a number of hauliers putting up their prices in the last weeks on the back of increased diesel costs. Finishing rations are also going up €20/tonne in a lot of feed mills.
Cows
R grading cows are being priced at €6.30/kg to €6.40/kg. U grading cows are now being bought at €6.70/kg.
O grading cows are being bought for €6.10/kg to €6.20/kg. P+3 cows are coming in at €6.00/kg to €6.10/kg, with some factories quoting lower for very light cows.
Bulls
R grading bulls are coming in at €6.80/kg to €6.90/kg and U grading bulls are being quoted at €7.00/kg, although bulls are in short supply, with low numbers being killed.
There are a number of operators still able to squeeze €7/kg for mixtures of R and U grading bulls.
O grading bulls are working off an all-in price of €6.50/kg to €6.70/kg, while P grading bulls are being quoted at €6.40/kg to €6.50/kg, depending on weight and flesh cover.
Under-16-month bulls are working off a €6.70/kg base price on the grid.
SHARING OPTIONS