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Official quotes for prime cattle continue to fall well short of the prices offered to farmers offloading finished animals, despite some plants raising base prices to 366p/kg for U-3 cattle this week.
Farmers with cattle to sell report prices starting around the 375p/kg mark for young bulls, which includes premiums paid on animals meeting carcase weight limits.
Steers are moving at 378p to 380p/kg for smaller numbers, with 2p to 5p/kg more for bigger numbers of in-spec animals.
Heifers are faring slightly better with prices of 385p/kg reported for regular sellers, with more on offered for specialist finishers that have supply agreements in place.
Farmers offloading cattle that exceed carcase weight limits continue to report penalties are being waived as factory agents remain eager to secure supplies.
Demand for fat cattle in the live ring remains extremely strong, with prices for U grading animals still on 220p to 230p/kg, which converts to a finished price around 380p to 390p/kg.
Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers rose narrowly to 364p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers rose by 1.5p to 375p/kg, although U3 heifers eased by 1.1p to 375.9p/kg. Young bulls were more or less static at 366.8p/kg.
The weekly cattle kill stood at 7,951 head, of which 5,761 animals were prime and 2,112 were cows. Imports of Irish cattle for direct slaughter at local plants rose by 183 head to 606, despite improving prices south of the border.
For the year to date, imports of Irish cattle stand at 10,928 head, up 70% year on year. While no cattle were exported to Britain, 32 animals were imported for slaughter here.
Cows
Base quotes on cull cows remain unchanged with R3 grading animals on 280p/kg, while O+3 cows stay on 270p/kg.
However, good quality suckler bred cows continue to make 300p to 310p/kg with up to 320p/kg on offer for bigger numbers.
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