This week's factory quotes sees the top end of prices surpassing €6.50/kg when all bonuses are factored in.

Procurement staff remain confident on the positive beef trade with securing fleshed cattle remaining the number one priority.

The current positive beef trade is being predominantly driven by strong market demand coupled with reduced beef supplies across Europe.

At the higher-end of the price scale, heifers are being quoted at €5.90-€5.95/kg on the grid with price quotes of €5.80-5.85/kg also common, but most procurement staff acknowledge the higher-rates are having to be paid to secure cattle in most cases.

Steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €5.80-5.85/kg on the grid, with lower-price offerings of €5.75/kg on the grid also tabled in cases this week.

The following bonuses are also available as 'add-ons' to the base price:

Grid bonus on all in-spec animals grading an R+ an upwards;
20c/kg in-spec bonus;
Breed bonus;
Processor sustainability scheme bonuses (Only available at some outlets).

An R+3= in-spec Angus heifer or steer is eligible for up to 76c/kg in bonuses at some outlets.

Some outlets are under pressure to fill orders for certain specifications of beef and are offering farmers premiums for choice lots of cattle at price levels above these.

Price premiums are available for R and U grade cows at some outlets with as high as €5.83/kg paid for R+3= cows in the week ending Sunday, January 12.

Click here to see cow prices paid by grade and factory.

This week, U grade cows are being quoted at €5.70/kg with €5.60/kg being quoted for R grade cows. More money is available on a case-by-case basis.

Stronger O grade cows are being quoted at €5.30/kg with €5.20/kg being quoted for the lesser O grade cows. P grade cows are being quoted at €5.00-5.10/kg. Again, more money is being secured in some cases for cows.

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.20/kg and €6.10/kg for U and R grades with €5.90 and €5.80/kg being quoted for O and P grade bulls respectively.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €5.75-5.80/kg on the grid.

Deals are available at some outlets at higher rates than this.