Ireland: Final full week of 2024 sees beef prices rise

This week’s factory quotes sees beef price offerings on the rise again as the last full-week beef kill of the year gets underway. Most factories have five full-day kills scheduled for this week with some killing two days and others killing three days next week and four days the following week. The prices being paid to farmers have been on the rise since mid October and prime cattle prices are currently at record highs. Despite concerns on finished cattle supplies, kill numbers have been holding steady with between 39,000 and 40,000 cattle slaughtered/week in the past four consecutive weeks. Factory quotes: Heifers and steers Steers (bullocks) are being quoted at €5.50/kg on the grid this week with €5.55/kg on the grid being quoted for heifers. Most outlets have kill sheets as good as filled from now until the year end with pre-booked cattle. The current strong beef trade has brought extra cattle out earlier than usual and some procurement staff have expressed concerns regarding ...