This week's factory quotes for beef cattle have seen prices rise significantly again, with up to 20c/kg added to heifer and steer prices in cases.

The latest round of price increases on all types of beef cattle leaves up to €6.00/kg available at the higher-end of the price scale for batches of well-fleshed, heavy P grade cows.

R grade Angus heifers are now making €7.00/kg and above in cases with a base price of €6.50/kg plus the 20c/kg in-spec bonus and the 30c/kg breed bonus. Outlets paying a 20c/kg sustainability bonus also will see rates above €7.00/kg paid for R grade Angus heifers this week.

This week, heifers are being quoted at €6.50/kg on the grid in general, with some outlets starting the week off at lower rates of €6.40-6.45/kg on the grid for heifers.

Steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €6.40/kg on the grid in general, with other outlets starting the week at €6.35/kg on the grid.

In some cases, outlets that were quoting €6.30/kg for heifers last week, are quoting €6.50/kg for heifers this week - marking an increase of 20c/kg in the price offer in the space of one week.

Cow prices are also continuing to increase, with several factory agents acknowledging that €6.00/kg is available for batches of well-fleshed, heavy P grade cows this week.

U grade cows are being quoted at up to €6.40/kg this week with €6.30/kg on offer for fleshed R grade cows.

There is more of a range in the price offerings for O grade cows with up to €6.10/kg quoted for the better-type O grade cows and €5.90-6.00/kg being quoted for the O- and O= cows.

P grade cows are being quoted at up to €6.00/kg at the higher-end of the price scale with €5.70-€5.80 more common for plainer P grade cows.

The average price paid for P+1+ grade cows in the week ending Sunday, February 14, was €5.06/kg.

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.50-6.70/kg for U grades with €6.40-6.60/kg being quoted for R grade bulls.

O grade bulls are being quoted at €6.30-6.40/kg and P grade bulls are being quoted at €6.20-6.30/kg. Some farmers are managing to secure higher price rates than these for bulls.

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