This week's factory quotes for beef cattle sees more talk from procurement staff of the trade levelling off despite prime cattle price offers up 10c/kg in many cases since last Monday (July 13).

Some cattle procurement bosses are saying that the extra money paid in cases for choice lots of cows last week is less available this week, but cow price quotes have mostly held at the same level as last Monday.

The current dry weather is taking a toll on grass supplies on farms in many parts of the country.

As a result, highly stocked farms are keen to get drafting cattle off grass for slaughter to reduce demand on their limited grass supplies.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are being quoted at €6.70-€6.75/kg on the grid. Some outlets in the southern half of the country are still working off last Monday's price offer of €6.60/kg base price for heifers.

Steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €6.60-€6.70/kg on the grid and again, outlets predominantly in the southern half of the country are still offering last week's rate of €6.50/kg.

Angus breed bonuses remain at 15-20c/kg on eligible cattle in general, while Hereford breed bonuses are generally ranging from 5-10c/kg on eligible cattle.

Cow price

Cow price offers are steady at best this week, with some of the outlets that had the higher offers last week revising their quote downwards by 10c/kg for this week.

Some of the higher cow price quotes from last Monday have held for this week but procurement staff seem less willing to move upwards on prices to secure cows this week.

Despite this, regular cow suppliers will generally manage to secure slightly higher rates for choice lots of cows.

'P' grade cows are being quoted at €6.00-€6.10/kg this week in general.

'O' grade cows are being quoted at €6.10-€6.20/kg with €6.30/kg tabled for the better-type 'O+' grading cows.

'R' grade cows are being quoted at €6.40/kg in general, and 'U' grade cows are being quoted at €6.50-€6.60/kg.

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.80-€6.90/kg for 'U' grades with €6.70-€6.80/kg tabled for 'R' grade bulls.

'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.50-€6.60/kg and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.40/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.60/kg on the grid.