This week's factory quotes for finished beef cattle sees some degree of pressure on beef prices as weekly kill numbers are running over 6,000 head/week above last year.

The short week this week coupled with the stormy weather nationwide over the October Bank Holiday Weekend has seen kill sheets filled out fast with both cattle coming off grass and cattle that were housed for a shed finish during the prolonged dry spell this summer.

Some of the higher prices that were being paid in certain cases for batches of cattle last week, are not as available this week.

Despite this, good choice lots of fleshed in-spec prime heifers and steers are not overly plentiful and most outlets still have space for these types on kill sheets this week.

Anecdotal conversations with procurement bosses would suggest demand for beef is still largely good and with just over eight weeks to go until Christmas, orders for beef should be ramping up in the coming few weeks.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are generally being quoted at €6.70/kg on the grid.

Steers (bullocks) are generally being quoted at €6.60/kg on the grid.

Some of the higher official price offers that were available predominantly in the north-west last week have been cut by 10c/kg for this week.

Other outlets that have their kill sheets largely filled out for this week are opening price negotiations at €6.50 and €6.60/kg on the grid for steers and heifers respectively for later this week.

The latest official prices paid by factories are available to view here.

Cow price

Cow price offers have eased and procurement staff are saying more cows and over-age cattle are coming available in the past few weeks.

Some of the higher price offers for cows have eased 10c/kg this week also but cows booked in since last week will likely still manage to secure the higher rates.

Offers for fleshed 'P' grade cows are at €6.00/kg and €6.10-€6.20/kg for 'O' grade cows.

'R' grade cows are being quoted at €6.30/kg, and 'U' grade cows are being quoted at premiums of up to €6.50/kg this week with offers of €6.40/kg more common.

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.80/kg for 'U' grades, with €6.70/kg tabled for 'R' grade bulls this week.

Some of the higher prices for bulls from last week may be paid out this week but are not available for bulls being bought on the country this week.

'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.50/kg and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.40/kg.

In some cases, good bulls are managing to secure rates above these price offers.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.60/kg on the grid, generally speaking.