Initial factory quotes for clean cattle are not much changed this week, with a small increase at one plant, but a small decrease at another.

Quotes at best are 334p/kg for U-3 grade steers and heifers; with 332p and 330p available elsewhere.

However, regular suppliers continue to work on 6p to 8p/kg ahead of these quotes, with in-spec butcher types still trading into the low and mid-340s.

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With strong numbers coming forward in recent weeks, factory agents have been able to shave a little off the actual prices paid.

Last week, the average price of steers and heifers was back 1.5p/kg to 332.47p/kg. U3 grade steers and heifers averaged 342.3p and 345.3p/kg respectively.

The kill last week of 9,168 was up over 200 head on the previous week and was the largest weekly kill so far this year. It included another strong kill of 2,267 cows.

However, while some factories are well booked into next week, there are reports that finished cattle are slightly harder to come by than they were.

The main factor underpinning the trade is the strength of the euro against sterling, which has made it difficult for factories to source cattle south of the Irish border. Last week, only 89 head came north for slaughter, down by 71 head on the previous week.

On the other hand, the strong euro meant that trade in the opposite direction jumped up to 235 head, from only 73 head the previous week. The trade across to Britain for slaughter was also high at 223 head.

Cow trade

Quotes in the plants for fat cows are steady this week and the best quote for an O+3 grade cow is 245p/kg, with others quoting 240p/kg. The best quote for an R grade is at 250p/kg, although the actual prices paid for R3 and R4 cows continues to sit over 270p/kg.

Lamb trade

The trade in fat lambs is steady this week. The factories are at 380p, which is up 5p on last week, and at 375p, which is unchanged. This makes a lamb worth almost £80 at the 21kg limit.

In the marts, there were more lambs on offer and prices were unchanged or down only slightly.

Kilrea had a sale of 450 lambs (100 more than last week) selling from 328p to 343p, down by 6p to 10p/kg.

Massereene sold 1,216 lambs (335 more) making from 320p to 358p, no change for most weights, but up 10p for the lightest store lambs.

Saintfield had 590 head (22 fewer) and they made from 320p to 370p, no change for the main weight range, but up 10p for lighter lambs.

In Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, the sale had 1,000 lambs (350 more) and trade was very slightly better. Prices averaged 347p/kg, up just 1p on last week, and the range was 328p to 388p/kg.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes in the marts is steady, with good prices for ewes in fat condition. Top in Newtownstewart was £74; in Swatragh was £100 a head; in Omagh £95 for a big show of 201 ewes; in Kilrea £108; in Massereene was £83; and in Saintfield a big show of 243 ewes was £90 a head. In Rathfriland, the top for 138 ewes sold was £95.