The first full week of 2026 sees factory quotes for beef cattle differ by up to 25c/kg between outlets.

Some outlets further south in the country are starting the week offering a base price of €7.00/kg for steers, with other outlets further north in the country tabling €7.25/kg on the grid for in-spec steers ranging from 300-400kg carcass-weight.

Several outlets are only killing cattle four days this week and are still seeking cattle to fill out this week's kill sheets.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are being quoted at prices ranging from €7.10-€7.35/kg on the grid.

The higher heifer price offers are available in the north of the country for in-spec heifers with carcass weights from 300-400kg.

Other outlets are starting the week with their heifer price offer in the middle at €7.20/kg on the grid.

Steers are being quoted at prices ranging from €7.00-€7.25/kg on the grid.

Several outlets are starting the week in the middle of these ranges at €7.10-€7.15/kg on the grid for steers.

Again the higher steer price offers are in the northern half of the country, with the lower rates being tabled in the southern half of the country.

Cow price

Click here to see the latest official cow prices paid by factories.

This week, cow price offers have been reduced at several sites, with 'P' grade cows being quoted at €6.40/kg and plainer 'P' grade cows being quoted at €6.20-€6.30/kg.

'O+' grade cows are being quoted at €6.60/kg with the plainer 'O' grading cows being quoted at €6.40-€6.50/kg.

'R' grade cows are being quoted at €6.70-€6.80 and 'U' grade cows are being quoted at €6.90-€7.00/kg.

Some regular cow suppliers are managing to secure price rates 10c/kg and more above this level.

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €7.40/kg for 'U' grades and €7.30/kg for 'R' grade bulls.

'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €7.10/kg and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.90-€7.00/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €7.10//kg on the grid with more money available in certain cases.