Processors paid well over €4/kg for quality heifers in recent weeks

While the quoted prices at the beef factories are unchanged for steers and heifers this week, there are encouraging signs of a strengthening in the trade for good quality heifers.

According to the prices recorded by the Department of Agriculture, a number of processors have paid well in excess of €4/kg for quality heifers in recent weeks, with up to 430 cent/kg for quality U-grade heifers being paid, as pre-Christmas demand generates competition among processors for stock.

Steer prices are quoted for this week at a base of 380-385 cent/kg (135p-137p/lb), and processors are in general trying to buy as much as possible of their requirements within five cent of the quotes.