Processors have tried to pull cattle prices this week to bring more animals on to the market.

Buying agents have pointed to falling prices south of the border as an indicator of reduced demand.

While prices have eased in the Republic, the beef trade in Britain has hardened, with prime cattle prices rising by 1p to 2p/kg on the previous week, putting R4L prices on an average 384p/kg.

Some local plants have cut 2p/kg from their base quotes, but it has made little impact, as most farmers report that prices paid are holding steady on previous weeks.

Official quotes are 358p to 360p/kg for U-3 grade cattle. However, most farmers indicate that plants are opening on 362p/kg.

Cattle are moving at this price, mainly for farmers with limited numbers.

Other farmers with a good supply of steers and heifers are selling from 364p to 368p/kg. Finishers who are regular sellers are still getting deals of 370p and better.

Last week, the average price paid for steers and heifers was 361.01p/kg. The average price paid for U3 steers was 371.8p/kg, with U3 heifers on 372.8p/kg. U3 bulls averaged 366.7p/kg. Buying agents have reported more grass cattle on offer this week, but the general indication is that numbers remain tight.

The cattle kill fell by 900 head last week to 7,453. The prime cattle kill fell by 700 head to 5,412.

Imports of finished cattle from the Republic remain strong, with 304 animals moving to northern plants for slaughter, while 147 cattle were imported from Britain.

Cows

Processors are trying to keep a lid on the cow trade, cutting quotes by 5p/kg to 270p/kg on O+3 grade animals and 280p/kg on R grade animals.

However, prices being paid are running well ahead of quotes, with 290p to 300p/kg widely available for good-quality animals.

Lamb trade

Quotes at the plants are up again this week, with 410p/kg widely available and 415p/kg at a push for up to 21kg deadweight. Although there were more lambs on offer in the marts, prices paid were up.

In Kilrea, 620 lambs sold from 369p to 400p/kg; up 13p to 29p/kg compared with last week.

In Massereene, a sale of 1,076 lambs made from 375p to 402p/kg, up by 15p/kg on last week.

In Saintfield, a sale of 866 lambs sold from 373p to 416p/kg, up by 7p to 12p/kg.

Rathfriland had a sale of 1,028 lambs making from 370p to 409p/kg and averaging 379p/kg. This was up by 3p/kg on the week. The top pen of 27kg Texels made £102, while £98 to £100 was paid for 25kg, with £90 for 22kg.

Fat ewe prices are back, with most top prices below £100. They sold to a top of £82/head in Newtownstewart and to £89 in Swatragh. Omagh had a big sale of 448 ewes selling to a top of £95. In Kilrea, the top price was £78 and Massereene topped £96. In Saintfield, they sold to a top of £92 and in Rathfriland to £109/head.

In Ballymena, Monday evening, the best store Texels and Suffolks sold from £64.50 to £71 a head. Texel and Suffolk breeding hoggets made from £138 to £166.