This week’s factory quotes for beef see some level of pressure applied to the higher cow prices, as the quotes for prime cattle appear to have remained steady overall.
While cow prices have come under some pressure, it appears price quotes have fallen for O and P grade cows with the top prices quoted last week for R and U grade cows, still available this week for R and U grade cows.
Despite this, the price quotes for O and P grade cows have fallen by up to 10c/kg at some sites.
Factory quotes: Heifers and steers
Heifer price is being quoted at €5.10-5.15/kg on the grid this week, with €5.20/kg still available at the higher end of the price scale for suitable heifers.
Steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €5.05-5.10/kg on the grid this week, with €5.15/kg on the grid still being quoted this week at some sites for suitable steers.
Figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show in the week ending Sunday, February 18, the average price paid for R=3= grade steers (inclusive of all bonuses) was €5.38/kg.
Cow price
Quotes for O and P grade cows have slipped 10c/kg at the higher-end of the price scale, while the lower quotes from last week have held for this week.
As always, there remains a significant range of prices within grades, between processors with some factories stronger on price for heavy, well-fleshed cows and other factories stronger on price for lighter, short-fleshed cows.
Click here for the latest information on cow prices reported by DAFM.
U grade cows are still being quoted at €4.60-4.70/kg at the higher end of the price scale with quotes for R grade cows ranging from €4.30-4.50/kg again this week.
O-grade cows are being quoted at prices ranging from €4.10-4.20/kg this week and P grade cows are being quoted at prices ranging from €3.90-4.10/kg.
Bull prices
Price quotes for under-24-month bulls have remained much the same as last week.
Price quotes of up to €5.35/kg is being quoted for U grade bulls with lower quotes ranging from €5.20-5.25/kg.
R grade bulls are being quoted at prices ranging from €5.10-5.25/kg with €4.90-5.15/kg is on offer for O grade bulls and €4.80-4.95/kg on offer for P grade bulls.
Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €5.05-5.10/kg on the grid.