12th December, 2011

Livestock Price Coordinator for the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA), John Cleary, has said that despite some significant difference in price depending on the region and county, factories were still actively seeking good quality stock with bulls and cows the most sought after of types of beef.
 
For a good mix of steers, the base price being quoted is €3.85 – 3.90/kg, a descrease of 5c from last week’s prices. Factories are quoting €3.95- €4.05/kg for heifers which is no change from last week.  For a mix of U and R grade bulls, the base price is also €4.00 – €4.05/kg, a rise of 10-15c from last week.  Base price quotes for cows stand at €3.10-€3.60/kg. This shows a rise of 10c from the higher quotes. The manufacturing trade is still strong and requiring the low end cuts of meat from cows.

Commenting on this week’s trade, Mr. Cleary said: “For the first time in a number of weeks we have seen a distinct gap in the demand for animals by factories, the north west would appear to be pulling demand while factories in the midlands, south and east and are still very eager for all kinds of stock, most especially bulls and cows. All that said, prices remain strong overall despite some attempts to pull back. We’re getting towards the Christmas cut off so if an animal is close to being ready for the factory then now maybe is the time to pull them into the lorry. After this day week, we’ll see a slowing down of trade before Christmas so the window for going to the factory in 2011 is closing,” Mr. Cleary concluded.
 
Sheep pries are again strong this week with a rise for lambs. Factories are paying up €5.15/kg for lambs up to 23/kg which is an increase of 10c from last week.  Quotes for ewes are €3.10/kg, no increase from last week or over the last number of weeks.