This week's factory quotes have seen as much as 30c/kg added to beef price offers despite the four-day kill at most sites this week following St. Patrick's Day bank holiday.

Some outlets that were quoting €6.70/kg on the grid for steers (bullocks) last week, are quoting €7.00/kg on the grid this week - a substantial 30c/kg rise.

Flat price deals and price agreements are widely available currently in the beef trade and up to €7.70/kg is being secured for in-spec R grade Angus heifers at the higher-end of the price scale with a number of beef farmers telling Agriland that deals are being done at this price level and above in cases.

This week, heifers are being quoted at €7.00-7.10/kg on the grid with steers (bullocks) being quoted at €6.90-7.00/kg on the grid but with very few deals being agreed at the lower rates.

Beef-price has increased by approximately 80c/kg in the past four weeks - an indication of how volatile the trade currently is.

What is perceived as a good price one week is only an average price the following week and would be seen as a poor price in a fortnight's time.

Farmers buying forward-store cattle for short-term finish are benefiting greatly from the rapid price rises but all bets are off as regards to where exactly beef price is going to stabilise.

U grade cows are being quoted at up to €7.00/kg with R grade cows being quoted at €6.70-6.80/kg.

O grade cows are being quoted at prices ranging from €6.20-6.40/kg with P grade cows being quoted at €6.10-6.30/kg.

Some farmers are managing to secure significantly higher prices than these for finished cows.

Click here to see the average cow prices for the week ending Sunday, March 9.

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €7.10-7.20/kg for U grades with €7.00-7.10/kg being quoted for R grade bulls.

Flat price deals of €7.40/kg and above have been secured this week for well-finished loads of R and U grade bulls.

O grade bulls are being quoted at €6.80-6.90/kg with P grade bulls being quoted at €6.70-6.80/kg.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €7.00/kg on the grid and again, flat price deals at higher rates than these are being widely secured for bulls this week.