Processors have tried to pull beef prices this week to push more grass-finished cattle on to the market, as grazing comes under pressure with wet weather.

While some plants did cut base quotes, it has made little impact, as finished cattle numbers remain tight.

Some buying agents say they managed to source extra cattle, but not as many as they would have liked, as they are still paying well above quoted prices.

Other agents remain heavily reliant on cattle coming from larger feedlots, as the supply of grass-finished cattle is simply not there. Official base quotes start at 358p/kg for steers, increasing to 362p/kg for U-3 grade heifers.

However, most farmers report they are starting on a base of 362p to 364p/kg.

Farmers with good-quality steers and heifers are securing 4p to 8p/kg over base price, depending on numbers, with larger finishers selling regularly securing deals well ahead of this.

The demand for cattle is reflected in the official price report, with steers and heifers paid an average of 361.14p/kg last week.

The average price for U3 steers increased marginally to 371.9/kg. However, the average price paid on U3 heifers rose by nearly 4p/kg to 376.9p/kg. Young bulls increased by over 1p/kg to 366p/kg.

Imports of cattle from the Republic rose sharply to 313 head, as some plants look to maintain throughput with southern cattle. Others imported cattle from Britain, with 140 animals crossing the Irish Sea for processing in NI. No cattle moved in the opposite direction.

Cows

Base quotes on cows range from 264p to 275p/kg for O+3 animals, with R3 cows on a base of 275p to 280p/kg.

Demand for cows is sharp, with factory agents competing strongly for numbers and offering deals of 15p to 20p/kg over base. Cow prices averaged 304p/kg last week.

Lamb trade

Quotes for fat lambs are showing further reductions this week and plants have cut quotes by another 15p/kg, with 400p and 395p/kg on offer to 21kg deadweight. These cuts look excessive when compared with prices bid in the marts, which were down by 5p to 10p/kg on Monday and Tuesday. But in Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, prices were up by 7p/kg on average.

In Kilrea, 500 lambs sold from 354p to 369p/kg; down 10p/kg compared with last week.

In Massereene, a sale of 998 lambs made from 365p to 390p/kg, down 5p to 10p/kg on last week.

In Saintfield, a big sale of 901 lambs sold from 350p to 389p/kg, down by 10p/kg for heavier lambs.

Rathfriland had a sale of 732 lambs making from 350p to 389p/kg and averaged 365p/kg. This was up by 7p/kg on the week.

The firm trade in fat ewes continues, with some top prices increasing. Ewes sold to a top of £102/head in Newtownstewart and to £105 in Swatragh. Omagh had 322 ewes selling to a top of £136. In Kilrea, the top price was £90 and in Massereene it was £94. In Saintfield, ewes sold to a top of £90; and in Rathfriland to £80/head.

In Ballymena, Monday evening, store Texels and Suffolks made from £66 to £70. Breeding Suffolk and Mule hoggets made from £128 to £148. The big Suffolk Cheviot breeding hoggets sale is on Saturday next in Ballymena.