This week's factory quotes sees base price offers for prime cattle open at approximately 90c/kg below this time last year.

The first full week of May last year saw steer (bullock) base price at approximately €7.50/kg.

This week (Tuesday, May 5), most outlets are quoting €6.60/kg on the grid for steers, approximately 90c/kg below last year.

This equates to a base price of €360/head lower on a 400kg carcass-weight steer.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are generally being quoted at €6.70/kg on the grid and steers are generally being quoted at €6.60/kg.

Some procurement staff have said that €6.70/kg is being tabled for choice lots of steers this week also.

Angus breed bonuses are generally ranging from 15-20c/kg on eligible cattle, while Hereford breed bonuses are generally ranging from 5-10c/kg on eligible cattle again this week.

Cow price

Fleshed, 'P' grade cows are being quoted at €6.10/kg again this week. Some of the lower offers of €6.00/kg from last week are less common this week.

'O' grade cows are being quoted at €6.20/kg, with €6.30/kg quoted for better-type 'O' grading cows in cases.

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

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.90/kg for 'U' grades with the €6.80/kg quotes less common for these this week.

'R' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.80/kg in general. 'O' grade bulls are being quoted at approximately €6.60/kg and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at approximately €6.50/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.60-€6.70/kg on the grid in general again this week.