This week's factory quotes have seen yet another price increase of up to 15c/kg and more in some cases as the beef trade continues to rally.

Many factory agents and beef farmers regularly finishing cattle have admitted to Agriland that grid pricing has been "axed" in recent times as the more-popular flat price deals and 'upward only' price agreements become much more common.

Currently, most outlets are not overly harsh on price cuts where cattle fall into an O- grade or a P grade - once fat covers and carcass weights are in order.

This week, heifers are being quoted at €6.80-6.90/kg on the grid with steers (bullocks) being quoted at €6.70-6.80/kg.

This leaves €7.00 and €7.10/kg the opening offer for in-spec R grade cattle this week before any breed bonus.

Conversations with beef farmers regularly supplying cattle to factories suggest that flat price deals of up to €7.50/kg are available for choice lots of Angus cattle this week, with other farmers reporting flat price deals of €7.30/kg for batches of bullocks.

There remains a significant variation in prices between outlets and after years of tough market conditions, beef farmers with well-finished cattle to sell should identify the strongest price available before agreeing to book cattle in for slaughter.

This week, well fleshed P grade cows are being quoted at up to €6.20/kg with €6.30/kg being quoted for fleshed O grade cows.

R and U grade cows are being quoted at €6.50 and €6.60/kg respectively.

There is a significant variation in cow price between outlets.

The graph below details the average prices paid for P=3= grade cows by outlet in the week ending Sunday, March 2:

As the graph above indicates there was a 70c/kg difference in the prices paid for P=3= cows in the week ending Sunday, March 2. The average price/kg paid for cows in this grade was €5.91/kg.

Click here for more data and information on cow prices.

Up to €7.10/kg is being quoted for U grade bulls with €7.00/kg on offer for R grade bulls. €6.80-6.90/kg is being quoted for O grade bulls and €6.60-6.70/kg is being quoted for P grade bulls.

Some outlets are opening quotes below this level while other outlets are paying above these rates to secure bulls.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.75/kg on the grid.