The beef trade has continued on a positive thread this week, with base prices continuing where they left off from last week.

Bullocks are working off a €6.70/kg base price at the bottom of the market, with up to €6.90/kg available in some factories where numbers are involved.

Heifers are working off a base price of €6.80/kg at the bottom of the market, with €7/kg being paid to some of the bigger suppliers this week.

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Flat prices for over-age cattle are not just as plentiful this week, but traditional breeds are still in high demand, with up to €7.20/kg flat price being paid for in-spec Aberdeen Angus bullocks and heifers.

Factory agents continue to be very active across the country purchasing finished cattle and forward store cattle in marts.

Bulls

Bulls are also solid this week, with under-24-month U grading bulls coming in at €6.70/kg to €6.90/kg, with R grading bulls being bought at €6.60/kg to €6.80/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are working off a base price of €6.50/kg to €6.60/kg. Numbers of bulls being presented for slaughter remain small.

Cows

There is also more life in the cow trade this week, with €6.50/kg available for well-fleshed R grading cows.

U grading cows have firmed up, with €6.60/kg now on the table for well-fleshed heavy U grading cows.

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 €6.00/kg to €6.10/kg, depending on weight and flesh cover.