This week's factory quotes for beef cattle have seen prices lift again, with base-price offerings having increased by up to 30c/kg since last Monday in some cases.

Some outlets have held their base price offerings for prime cattle at the same level as last Monday, but this leaves them as much as 30c/kg behind other outlets on base price for prime cattle for this week.

While there was some talk of the trade showing signs of steadying last week, prices have moved up again for this week.

But there is more talk from procurement staff of prices steadying this week - this talk has yet to materialise as prices have continued to rise.

The level of competition between factories has also increased significantly in recent weeks, with strong flat-price deals and free haulage being tabled in cases to tempt farmer-suppliers to change their usual 'go-to' factory.

Procurement staff at some factories are being instructed to return to grid pricing where possible and move away from flat-price offers to farmers but, with some outlets still offering flat-price deals, the move is proving challenging to these factories.

Some outlets have also reduced the number of days they are killing this week.

Some of the outlets that were opening negotiations for steers (bullocks) and heifers last week at €7.50 and €7.60/kg on the grid respectively, are starting this week off at €7.80 and €7.90/kg on the grid for steers and heifers - a rise of 30c/kg.

Flat price deals of €8.10-€8.20/kg and higher have been tabled in cases this week for mixed batches of 'R' and 'O' grade bullocks and heifers.

Angus heifers and steers remain a hot commodity and deals of up to €8.40/kg have been struck for well-finished batches of in-spec prime Angus cattle.

U-grade cows are getting premiums at some outlets, with up to €7.60-7.70/kg tabled in some cases this week.

R-grade cows are being quoted at up to €7.30-7.40/kg this week while 'O' and 'P' grade cows are being quoted at €7.00 and €6.90/kg respectively. Many cow suppliers are managing to secure price rates higher than the quoted cow prices for this week.

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €8.00 and €7.90/kg for 'U' and 'R' grade bulls respectively with €7.70 and 7.60/kg quoted for 'O' and 'P' grade bulls this week at timees.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €7.80/kg on the grid this week. Flat prices deals remain available for bulls also, with some suppliers managing to secure higher rates than these for bulls.