This week's mill prices have increased by (generally) 60c/kg since early November, with some mills tightening the notch and others maintaining.
In early November, the market price for steers (bulls) was around 4.60 euros per kg on the grid.
Processors are offering prices of between €5.15 and €5.20 per kg on the grid for steers this week, and in some cases they can add a few cents more.
In September last year, Teagasc published its guideline costing for winter finishing steers, based on which the break-even points for winter finishing steers Friesland, Hereford and Continental are €4.98 and €5.39 per kg respectively. , which costs 5.47 euros.
Factory Estimate: Heifers and Steers
Steer prices are generally trading between €5.15/kg and €5.20/kg on this week's grid, with the top end of the price scale at €5.25/kg.
A summary of R=3= grade steer prices (including QPS and breed bonuses) paid per factory up to the week ending Sunday 21st January can be found here.
Heifers are generally quoted at €5.20/kg to €5.25/kg on the grid, with suitable heifers topping out at €5.30/kg this week.
cow price
Processors appear to be offering more conservative cattle pricing this week, which is not unusual.
Higher prices for cattle can be secured if farmers supply more cattle or if farmers can select more cattle to suit the specific requirements of individual processors.
It is also important to note that the price paid for each grade of cow may vary depending on the cow's age, carcass weight, and fat score.
Prices for U-grade cattle are expected to be between €4.70 and €4.80 per kg this week. Prices for R grade cattle range from 4.50 euros to 4.60 euros per kg.
Prices for O-grade cattle range from €4.20 to €4.40/kg and prices for P-grade cattle range from €4.10 to €4.30/kg.
A summary of cattle grade prices and fat scores paid by mills for the week ending Sunday 21 January can be found here.
bull market quotes
Prices for bulls under 24 months of age range from €5.30 to €5.40/kg for U grade and €5.20 to €5.30/kg for R grade.
Prices for O grade bulls range from €5.00 to €5.10/kg and prices for P grade bulls range from €4.90 to €5.00/kg.
Prices for bulls under 16 months are trading between €5.10 and €5.20/kg on this week's grid.
A summary of prices paid by mills for bulls by grade and fat score for the week ending Sunday 21 January can be found here.
