The beef trade remains in a steady position this week, as thousands of farmers make their way for the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly.
Factory agents had a lot of this week’s work done at the end of last week in terms of sourcing cattle, with more bite to the demand again this week.
Bullocks are generally working off a base quote of €6.40/kg, with heifers being bought at €6.50/kg.
Some finishers have been able to get €6.50/kg for mixed loads of bullocks and heifers this week and there is a definite thought within the industry that quotes will kick on further in the coming weeks as attention turns to the Christmas trade.
Traditional breeds are also in good demand, with a 20c/kg bonus generally being paid on in-spec cattle.
Bulls are also solid this week, with under-24-month U grading bulls coming in at €6.50/kg to €6.60/kg, with R grading bulls being bought at €6.40/kg to €6.50/kg.
Under-16-month bulls are working off a base price of €6.35/kg to €6.40/kg, but numbers are very small.
Cows
The cow trade hasn’t moved much this week either, with €6.50/kg available for well-fleshed R grading cows.
A price of €6.55/kg was paid for U grading cows this week, with specialist cow finishers on higher quotes.
The mart continues to be the place of choice for many smaller suckler farmers to offload cows, with factory agents going above what is available in factories when buying cows in marts.
O grading cows are working off a quote of €6.20/kg to €6.30/kg this week, with P+3 cows coming in at €5.90/kg to €6/kg, depending on weight and flesh cover.
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