This week’s factory quotes sees base price remain steady at most outlets with a boost confirmed for the Hereford breed bonus for pre-booked cattle from two different beef processors.
The Irish Hereford Prime beef producer group has today, Monday, September 23, announced an increased bonus of 25c/kg for the autumn and early winter period.
Hereford breed bonus
The increased bonus will be available at all ABP Food Group and Kepak Group sites throughout Ireland for both qualifying steers and heifers and comes following the earlier announcement from Certified Irish Angus of an increased breed bonus for eligible cattle.
The increased breed bonus is available from October 14, 2024 to November 15, 2024 (Week 42-46) with only animals booked in by September 30, 2024 eligible to receive the 25c/kg bonus.
Announcing the higher bonus of 25c/kg for eligible Hereford cattle pre-booked this autumn and early winter period, Niall O’Mahony, chair of Irish Hereford Prime said:
“The extra bonus available for Hereford cattle in the coming weeks is a just reward for our members who target the finishing of their animals at the times of the year when demand for our beef is very high from our premium customers.”
More information on the breed bonus is available on the Irish Hereford Prime website.
Factory quotes: Heifers and steers
Bullocks (steers) are generally being quoted at €5.00-5.05/kg on the grid this week. Heifer price is being quoted being quoted at €5.05-5.10/kg on the grid in general.
At the higher end of the price scale, €5.10 and €5.15/kg is available for eligible steers and heifers respectively for in-spec animals with carcass weights ranging from 300-400kg.
News of increased breed bonuses is a positive signal for the p-rime cattle trade going into the final quarter of the year.
Cows
Cow price is continuing on positive footing and kill numbers of cows are remaining strong.
Demand for cows is also good with significant variation on cow price both within grades and between processors.
The table below details the weighted average prices paid for cows by grade in the week ending Sunday, September 15, in c/kg including vat:
Fat Score E U R O P Weighd. average 1 520 520 475 398 319 325 2 515 485 454 417 429 3 500 501 491 458 443 457 4 524 490 483 458 445 462 5 508 488 457 445 478 Weighted average: 505 501 487 456 406 435
Despite challenges with grass supply in parts of the country, September has been in general a positive month for farmers with dry weather conditions prevailing.
P grade cows are being quoted at €4.40/kg this week with €4.50/kg being quoted for O grade cows. €4.70-4.80/kg is being quoted for R grade cows with €5.00/kg and above on offer for U grade cows.
Again, more money is available in cases and the table above shows the average prices paid for cows in the second week of September.
Bulls
The bull trade is also continuing on positive footing with all the usual bull beef outlets as active as ever for factory-fit bulls.
Prices of €5.30 and 5.20/kg are being quoted for U and R grade bulls respectively. O grade bulls are being quoted at €5.00/kg and €4.90/kg is being quoted for P grade bulls, generally speaking.
Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at€5.00-5.05/kg on the grid in general.