Beef processors remain determined to bring beef prices down, with further cuts to base quotes this week. Some plants shaved 4p/kg off quotes, while others have cut their base by 6p/kg. This puts official factory quotes on 352p to 358p/kg for U-3 animals. Cattle prices have definitely eased, although not as much as plants would have liked.

Heavy rainfall this week has seen more farmers moving cattle off grass, allowing plants to cut prices on offer. As a result, some cattle agents are reluctant to quote on cattle for next week as yet.

However, most factory agents indicate that cattle are generally moving from 360p to 362p for farmers with limited numbers, while farmers who sell on a more regular basis are moving cattle from 364p to 366p.

Some farmers with a good supply of in-spec heifers managed to secure as far as 368p/kg earlier this week.

Demand for manufacturing beef is holding strong, keeping a firm floor in the trade for dairy-bred and plainer animals, which are moving at prices of 330p to 350p/kg depending on quality.

Prices in Britain are holding relatively steady due to tight supplies and solid demand for beef. As a result, it is hindering cattle agents from applying further cuts to cattle prices at local plants.

The average price paid for steers and heifers was 359.84p/kg over the past week, with U3 steers on an average 368.8p/kg. Prices for U3 heifers averaged 372.5p/kg.

In Scotland, cattle are still being paid 390p/kg for R4 animals, with prices in the north of England around 380p/kg. Prices in the Republic have eased to 340p to 345p/kg this week.

Cows

Quotes are steady, with plants offering 265p to 270p for O+3 animals and up to 280p/kg for R grade animals. Deals are still being made from 290p/kg and better.

Lamb trade

At 405p/kg, one plant has taken 5p/kg off its quote, while the other is steady midweek, but may be lower for Friday’s kill. In the marts, there were very big shows and prices were down by 20p/kg.

In Kilrea, 440 lambs sold from 361p to 382p/kg; down by 8p to 18p/kg on last week.

In Massereene, a very big sale of 1,712 lambs made from 355p to 386p/kg, down by 20p/kg on last week. Lambs at 25kg made £90 to £94; while 22kg and 23kg made £81 to £86.

In Saintfield, a sale of 1,002 lambs sold from 350p to 390p/kg, down by 23p/kg.

Rathfriland sold 1,154 lambs from 335p to 390p/kg and averaged 359p/kg; down by 20p/kg or £4.60/head on last week.

Fat ewe prices are up, with most top prices showing increases. They sold to a top of £98/head in Newtownstewart and to £87 in Swatragh. Omagh had a big sale of 638 ewes selling to a top of £118. In Kilrea, the top price was £87 and in Massereene was £96. In Saintfield, they made to £100, while in Rathfriland the top price was £94/head.

In Ballymena, Monday evening, the best store Texels and Suffolks made from £66 to £75/head. Texel and Suffolk breeding hoggets made from £140 to £168. Good Suffolk ewe lambs made from £82 to £115/head.