This week's factory quotes see beef prices remaining generally firm across the board but no rise in official quotes is apparent.

This is the third consecutive week prices have remained mostly steady after approximately four weeks of reductions across the board to beef price.

Most outlets have reduced their steer (bullock) base price from €7.00-7.10/kg at the start of the year to €6.60/kg for this week with some outliers to this.

Conversations with procurement staff would indicate the trade is expected to remain firm and there is some level of optimism that price positivity will be seen in the trade in the near future but it remains to be seen if this will materialise.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, bullocks (steers) are being quoted at €6.60/kg in general, with up to €6.70/kg tabled in the north-west for steers with 300-400kg carcass weights.

Heifers are generally being quoted at €6.70/kg on the grid, with €6.75/kg tabled in the north-west for 300-400kg carcass-weight heifers.

Angus breed bonuses are generally ranging from 15-20c/kg on eligible cattle and Hereford breed bonuses are generally ranging from 5-10c/kg on eligible cattle.

Cow price

Fleshed, 'P' grade cows are being quoted at €6.00-6.10/kg this week.

'O' grade cows are being quoted at €6.10/kg, with €6.20/kg quoted for better-type 'O' grading cows and €6.30/kg 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 €6.70/kg with other outlets quoting €6.40-6.50/kg for these.

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.80-6.90/kg for 'U' grades. 'R' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.70-6.80/kg in general.

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

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.60/kg on the grid again this week.