This week's factory quotes have seen the upward trajectory in beef prices continue with outlets raising their price offerings by 5-10c/kg above price offerings from early last week.

Factory agents have additional buying power for cattle this week in terms of higher prices with up to €6.30/kg on the grid quoted for prime cattle this morning (Monday, February 10).

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) Beef Committee chair, John Cleary, has said that flat price deals of €6.50-6.60/kg are available this week for mixed loads of cattle.

He added that the current prices being paid for beef cattle at the mart would equate to almost €7.00/kg in the factory.

Heifers are being quoted at €6.25-6.30/kg on the grid this week in general with some outlets opening negotiations for the week at the lower rate of €6.20/kg on the grid.

Steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €6.20-6.25/kg on the grid in general this week with other outlets starting the week off at a base price of €6.15/kg for steers.

The soundings from procurement staff this week on beef market sentiment appears to be of continued confidence in the trade for the short-term at least.

Cow price has continued to move on in line with the current beef trade with offers of €6.00-6.10/kg and above, available for top-grading cows this week.

U grade cows are being quoted at €6.00-6.10/kg in general with €5.80-5.90/kg quoted for R grade cows.

Top-end O grade cows are being quoted at up to €5.80/kg but quotes of €5.60/kg and €5.70/kg are more common for O grade cows this week.

Finally, P grade cows are being quoted at €5.50-5.60/kg in general this week with €5.40/kg quoted for the plainer P grade cows.

The average price paid for P=1= grade cows in the week ending Sunday, February 2, was just under €4.75/kg.

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.50/kg for U grades with €6.40/kg being quoted for R grades. O and P grade bulls are being quoted at €6.20 and €6.10/kg respectively in general this week.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.10-6.15/kg on the grid in general this week.