This week's factory quotes for beef cattle sees most processors move to reduce beef price by a further 10c/kg while a few outlets are holding their prices at the same level as last week.

In cases, over 70c/kg has now been cut from the peak beef price offers tabled in early April this year.

Prime cattle beef price offers are still approximately €1.95/kg above where opening quotes were at this time last year.

This week, heifers are being quoted at €7.20/kg on the grid in general and steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €7.10/kg on the grid.

Last week's price rates, which were generally 10c/kg higher, are being paid in cases on cattle booked in since last week, but the reduced rates are expected to set into the trade later in the week at most sites.

Beef prices have been reducing for the past four consecutive weeks despite cattle supplies in both Ireland and the UK expected to remain tight.

In Northern Ireland, the average deadweight beef price in the week ending Saturday, June 14, was £6.54/kg for a 'U3' steer, £6.37/kg for a young bull, and £5.48/kg for an 'O+3' cow.

While base prices for prime cattle are in decline, breed bonuses for Angus and Hereford cattle have also been reduced in cases.

Up to 30c/kg remains available for eligible Angus heifers and steers, but most outlets are paying an Angus breed bonus of 20-25c/kg.

The Hereford breed bonus is at 15c/kg at most sites this week, with some outlets offering less and others offering more.

Up to €7.10/kg is being quoted for 'U' grade cows this week, with 'R' grade cows being quoted at €6.80-€6.90/kg.

'O' grade cows are being quoted at €6.50-6.60/kg and 'P' grade cows are being quoted at €6.40-€6.50/kg.

Some cow suppliers are managing to secure higher prices for cows in each of the grades.

In the week ending Sunday, June 15, the average price paid for 'O=3=' grade cows was €6.83/kg, which was down almost 13c/kg on the previous week.

This week, under-24-month bull prices have also declined in line with prime cattle prices at most sites.

'U' grade bulls are being quoted at €7.30-€7.40/kg and 'R' grade bulls are being quoted at €7.20-€7.30/kg.

'O' and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at approximately €7.20 and €7.10/kg respectively this week.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €7.10/kg on the grid in general this week.