This week's factory quotes sees some positive indications for beef price with some procurement staff admitting there may be scope for slightly higher rates on prime cattle base price.

Cow price offers have edged up also in cases, with some outlets that were quoting €6.00/kg for 'P' grade cows last week tabling €6.10/kg this week.

Last week, Agriland caught up with Dawn Meats group development manager Paul Nolan to hear the beef market outlook from a factory perspective for the coming months.

Nolan said: "What we are being told by Bord Bia is that our kill figures are expected to tighten somewhat over the next few months."

This forecasted drop in supplies comes on the back of Irish factory cattle supplies having declined by almost 80,000 head already this year but it remains to be seen if it will materialise.

The Dawn Meats group development manager said: "I'm hopeful that if we get that, along with any kind of a pick-up in the market, depending of course on how affairs work out in the Middle East, we would certainly be hopeful we would be able to keep things where they are".

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

Cow price

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

'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.

Cow prices have generally edged up 10c/kg in the past week.

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 €6.60/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 this week.