This week's factory quotes for beef cattle have seen price increases across the board for all types of cattle, with demand continuing to surpass supplies despite the large weekly kill numbers.

Pre-Christmas beef kills are now in full swing at beef processing sites around the country and procurement staff are admitting demand is in a fairly positive position across the board.

Where suitable R+ grade Angus heifers are being slaughtered this week, over €5.90/kg is being paid in cases when Quality Assurance (QA), breed and sustainability price bonuses are factored in on eligible animals.

This week, most outlets have increased their steer (bullock) quotes to €5.15/kg on the grid and their heifer price quotes have moved on to €5.20/kg on the grid. Some outlets have started the week off at 5c/kg below this level.

The 10c/kg weight bonus for eligible steers and heifers with carcass weights ranging from 300-400kg available from at least one Co. Donegal outlet leaving €5.25/kg and €5.30/kg on the grid available for steers and heifers.

Cow prices quotes have moved on again this week with rises seen for all types of cows.

Despite the increases in price quotes for cows, some farmers are still managing to secure price rates above the quoted prices.

The table below details the weighted average prices paid for cows in c/kg including VAT for the week ending Sunday, October 20:

U grade cows are being quoted at €5.10/kg with €4.90 being quoted for R grade cows.

O grade cows are being quoted at €4.60/kg and €4.50/kg is being quoted for P grade cows.

Price quotes for under-24-month bulls have also increased this week with U grade bulls being quoted at €5.40-5.50/kg and €5.30-5.35/kg being quoted for R grade bulls.

O grade bulls are being quoted at €5.15/kg and P grade bulls are being quoted at €5.05/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €5.15/kg on the grid.

Some farmers are again managing to secure higher price rates from factories for cattle in cases where batches of well-finished stock are presented.