This week's factory quotes sees beef price offers remain largely firm with a few cases of prices edging up slightly.

Some factory outlets have increased their number of kill days from three to four also.

Others have retained their number of kill days, but are filling these out with extra shifts being put on to increase spaces on kill sheets in cases.

Some outlets that were killing cattle three days/week have moved to four but few if any outlets - if any - are killing cattle five days/week.

Weekly kill numbers have increased from below 25,000 in early July to over 32,000 in late August, but still remain a long way off the peak weekly kills of over 40,000 head, seen in previous years.

In some cases, base price offers have edged up for prime cattle as well as for cow prices, but by and large, the higher-end of the trade is steady.

Ploughing 2026 is set to take place next week from Tuesday, September 15.

Traditionally, this time of the year has seen beef prices easing but overall, the trade looks more positive ahead of the national event this year.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are generally being quoted at €6.50-€6.55/kg on the grid.

Some outlets that were tabling €6.45/kg last week have pushed on to offer the higher rate for this week.

Steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €6.40/kg on the grid and again, the €6.35/kg offers from last week have been increased 5c/kg for this week.

€6.50/kg on the grid remains available in the north-west for in-spec steers with 300-400kg carcass-weights.

The latest official prices paid by factories are available to view here.

As previously reported by Agriland, Angus and Hereford breed bonus eligibility changes are set to be introduced at ABP and Kepak sites next week from Monday, September 7.

Cow price

The cow price offers have seen positive activity at the lower end of the offers, with these lower prices failing to buy cows and being pushed upwards for this week.

The fleshed 'P' grade cows are being quoted at €5.90/kg this week with short-fleshed, lighter and plainer 'P' grade cows being priced at less.

'O' grade cows are being quoted at €6.00/kg, with €6.10/kg and above in cases available for the better-type heavy, fleshed 'O+' cows.

Deals of €6.00/kg are being secured for mixed batches of good 'O' and 'P' grade cows this week.

Click here to view the latest official prices paid by factories for cows based on grade and fat score.

'R' grade cows are being quoted at €6.30/kg. 'U' grade cows are being quoted at €6.40/kg, with some outlets still trending slightly behind on prices for 'R' and 'U' grade cows but remaining on-par for 'O' and 'P' price offers.

As always, heavy fleshed cows scoring a '3' or above in flesh and with a carcass-weights above 270kg will qualify for higher price rates, while plainer, lighter, short-fleshed cows will be priced at lower rates.

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.70/kg for 'U' grades, with €6.60/kg tabled for 'R' grade bulls again this week.

'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.40/kg and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.30/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.40/kg on the grid again this week.