This week's factory quotes for beef cattle has seen prices reduced by a further 10c/kg.

This is the third consecutive week base price offers for beef have been cut by 10c/kg, falling from €7.00/kg in the final week of February to €6.70/kg this morning (Monday, March 16), generally speaking.

The beef price paid to farmers has declined by 30c/kg since the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) protest took place outside the Bord Bia offices.

Procurement staff are citing weakened demand for beef as the cause of the price cuts.

Several winter beef finishers are now in a loss-making scenario, according to the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA).

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are being quoted at €6.80/kg on the grid, generally speaking.

At the higher-end of the price scale, €6.90-€7.00/kg has been tabled for choice lots of heifers in the north-west.

Bullocks (steers) are now being quoted at €6.70/kg on the grid. Again, in the north-west of the country, €6.85-€6.95/kg has been tabled for choice lots of steers.

Breed bonuses remain available on eligible Angus and Hereford heifers and steers but more outlets have confirmed they are reviewing their breed bonus following the news of the Angus breed bonus at ABP Food Group and Kepak outlets is set to be reformed.

Cow price

Some outlets have cut their cow price offers by 10c/kg this week while other outlets have held their prices, leaving a variation of up to 20c/kg between outlets in cases for cows.

'P' grade cows are being quoted at prices ranging from €6.00-€6.20/kg this week.

'O' grade cows are being quoted at €6.10-€6.30/kg this week.

'R' grade cows are being quoted at €6.40-€6.50/kg and 'U' grade cows are being quoted at €6.60-€6.70/kg.

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €7.00-€7.05/kg for 'U' grades generally speaking.

'R' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.90-€6.95/kg in general, 'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.70-€6.80/kg, and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.50-€6.60/kg.

10c/kg above these rates is available from at least one Co. Donegal outlet for eligible 300-400kg carcass-weight bulls.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.70-€6.80/kg on the grid.