The beef trade continues in a positive mode this week with factory agents still on the hunt for cattle.

Quotes remain at a similar level to last week, with bullocks working off a base price of €7.50/kg and heifers working off a base price of €7.60/kg.

There are some processors trying to buy bullocks at €7.40/kg but they are getting very little cattle at the lower quotes.

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Flat prices of €8.10/kg and over it is also back on the table for in-spec Aberdeen Angus bullocks and heifers. Breed bonuses range from 20c to 30c/kg, if killing on the grid.

Cows

The cow trade remains very steady, with factory agents active for heavy, well-covered cows.

R grading cows are generally trading at €7.20/kg to €7.30/kg, while O grading cows are coming in around €7.00/kg to €7.10/kg. Up to €7.50/kg has been paid for U grading cows this week. Larger finishers with big numbers of cows have been able to get 20 cent/kg more for well-finished cows.

There is a big range in quotes for P grading cows, with those with numbers able to bargain more. Up to €6.90/kg is being paid for well- finished cows.

Bulls are in demand, with up to €7.80/kg now available at the top end for U grading bulls, working back to €7.40/kg to €7.50/kg for O grading bulls.

Higher quotes of €7.80/kg have been paid to feeders dealing with bigger numbers.