Beef prices remain steady, but some farmers are finding it easier to negotiate on price as factory agents are keen for numbers. Official quotes are unchanged at 336p/kg to 346p/kg for U-3 cattle.

Indications are that processors are starting from a base of 346p/kg this week, which is an increase of 2p/kg on last week at most plants.

There are cattle moving at this price, but farmers and buying agents indicate they are paying 348p to 350p/kg to secure numbers.

Cattle numbers are tight, with some agents indicating they have had to offer 352p/kg and better to regular sellers this week for in-spec animals. There are still price deals to be had for farmers with larger numbers of clean cattle, mainly heifers.

Bulls are an improved trade, with more cattle moving at 4p/kg to 6p/kg above base, provided they are under 16 months old and do not exceed 400kg carcase weight.

Friesian cattle are moving at prices of 320p/kg to 330p/kg for O grade animals. Traditional beef breeds that qualify for premium schemes are in demand, with processors matching conventional cattle prices.

Cattle imported from the Republic for slaughter dropped to 298, down 20 head on the previous week. Cattle imported from Britain totalled 152 head. The average price paid in Northern Ireland last week was 342.59p/kg, an increase of 0.7p/kg on the previous week. U grade steers averaged 352p/kg and heifers 354p/kg.

Prices in Britain have hardened, with R4 grade cattle making 360p/kg. Prices in Scotland are running 5p/kg to 10p/kg above this level.

Cows

As with prime cattle, there is no movement in the cow trade. Quotes start at 245p/kg for O+3 cows with 250p/kg at the top of the trade. R grade quotes are 250p/kg to 260p/kg but most cows are reportedly moving at 270p/kg.

NI comment

The upwards trend in quotes at the plants for hoggets has been maintained, with all plants on 400p/kg payable to 22kg.

With an export deal from the Republic to the Middle East for 10,000 head announced, and with a stronger euro, demand for hoggets is strong and sellers can negotiate more.

However, in the marts, numbers were up and prices are back a little.

Kilrea had 500 hoggets selling from 348p to 378p/kg, down 9p/kg for heavier hoggets.

Massereene had a sale of 1,156 hoggets making from 355p to 392p/kg, up 5p/kg.

In Saintfield, they had a sale of 614 hoggets making from 335p to 372p/kg, down 10p/kg on last week.

In Rathfriland, a show of 601hoggets sold from 333p to 371p/kg. The average price was 347p/kg, which was down by 20p/kg on last week.

Ewes

There was a good trade in fat ewes this week and top prices for the best fat ewes were up in most of the marts. They sold to a top of £101 in Newtownstewart; £116 in Swatragh; £104 in Omagh; £88 in Kilrea; and to £114 in Massereene. In Saintfield, 70 ewes sold to a top of £90; and in Rathfriland 134 ewes made £89/head.

In Ballymena, Monday evening, the trade in sheep was sharper. The best store hoggets sold to £82/head. The best in-lamb crossbred ewes made from £142 to £152. Ewes with twins made from £170 to £200.