This week's factory quotes sees beef price offers remain largely unchanged for the fifth consecutive week with official quotes approximately 90c/kg above this time last year.

While the official quotes from most processors have not changed much in the past five weeks, procurement staff are admitting there is slightly more money being tabled for choice lots of in-spec heifers and steers (bullocks).

Overall, the sentiment from factory procurement staff seems to be more steady to positive, with no talk currently of any price cuts on beef in the short-term at least.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are being quoted at €7.10/kg on the grid and steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €7.00/kg on the grid, generally speaking.

At the higher-end of official price offers, €7.10-€7.15/kg has been tabled for steers, and €7.20/kg on the grid has been tabled again this week for heifers.

Some outlets are admitting that slightly above their official base price offer is available for choice lots of under-30-months-old heifers and steers.

Breed bonuses are generally at 15c/kg and 20c/kg for Hereford and Angus cattle respectively, but up to 30c/kg remains available at some outlets for in-spec Angus heifers and steers with carcass-weights from 300-380kg.

Cow price

Cow price is steady again this week. 'P' grade cows are being quoted at €6.40/kg with €6.50-€6.60/kg on offer for 'O' grade cows.

'R' grade cows are being quoted at €6.70-€6.80/kg, and 'U' grade cows are being quoted at up to €7.00/kg in cases.

Bulls

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

'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €7.10/kg, while 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €7.00/kg.

Under-16-month-old bulls are being quoted at €7.00/kg on the grid again this week.