Factory quotes this week (beginning Monday, March 4) come before an expected reduction in the supply of cattle in the coming weeks.
This was said by the Irish Farmers’ Association’s (IFA’s) national livestock chair Declan Hanrahan, who told Agriland that “numbers are to get tight in the next few weeks”.
The expected drop in the number of factory-fit cattle will help to drive the trade on, Hanrahan anticipates.
Since the beginning of February, the IFA livestock chair said “instead of [the factories] ringing, it was their phones ringing” from farmers calling them to book their cattle in.
Hanrahan said because of this, factories have “found it easier to get cattle”, which he added has resulted in a “strong” supply of cattle.
Factory quotes: Heifers and steers
Remaining similar to last week, heifer prices this week are being quoted at between €5.10-5.15/kg, while some processers offered from €5.05-5.10/kg for heifers.
Steer (bullock) prices this morning were from as low as €5.05/kg, to then ranging from between €5.10-5.15/kg from some factories.
Hanrahan explained that this week, there was more being offered from some outlets in cases of lots of good quality cattle – more than what they are quoting.
Cow price
Hanrahan told Agriland the highest prices this week were for the quality, heavier cows, particularly from wholesalers, which are reported to be scarce in the market, that ranged from €4.80-4.90/kg.
P grade cows are fetching prices of €3.90/kg, while the O grade cows with better flesh on them are being quoted as up to €4.30/kg, depending on their fat cover.
Bull prices
Factory quotes for bulls this week tended to range from €5.20-5.25/kg.
The younger, under-16-month bulls were bring quoted at €5.05/kg.
In the north of the country, higher prices can be seen for bulls, as high as €5.30-5.35/kg in cases for U grade bulls.