This week's factory quotes for beef cattle have seen several outlets move to reduce their opening base price offers.

Outlets in the north and west of the country have held more firm on price offers, but more of the southern outlets are talking of reducing the higher offers for later this week.

It remains to be seen to what extent the price reductions will materialise but several procurement staff sound adamant that "money has to come out of the trade".

They are warning their beef suppliers to "err on the side of caution" on price per kilo when buying-in store cattle for winter finishing.

Some outlets have moved to five-day kills for this week while others are remaining at four after the civil service strike last week and the upcoming Bank Holiday Monday on October 26.

Factory supply numbers have edged over 35,000 head in the week ending Sunday, October 11.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are generally being quoted at €6.70-€6.75/kg on the grid, with up to €6.85/kg base tabled for 300-400kg carcass-weight choice lots of prime heifers in the north-west.

Steers (bullocks) are generally being quoted at €6.60-€6.70/kg on the grid with up to €6.80/kg on the grid available in the north-west for choice lots.

Conversations with procurement staff would suggest the lower price offers have not really set into the trade yet, especially where prime, in-spec underage cattle are available.

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 overage cattle are coming available in the past few weeks.

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

Some suppliers with good batches of fleshed, better grading 'P' and 'O' grade cows are managing to secure higher rates for these in cases.

'R' grade cows are being quoted at €6.30-€6.40/kg, and 'U' grade cows are being quoted at premiums of up to €6.60/kg again this week with offers of €6.40/kg more common.

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.80-€6.90/kg for 'U' grades, with €6.70-€6.80/kg tabled for 'R' grade bulls this week.

€6.90 and €7.00/kg is available in the north-west this week for choice lots of suitable bulls.

'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.50-€6.60/kg and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.40-€6.50/kg.

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

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