The beef trade has moved firmly in favour of farmers this week, as supplies tighten and demand for beef increases.

Beef finishers with cattle to sell are in a strong position to negotiate on price and there are numerous reports of deals being made well ahead of factory quotes.

Official base quotes range from 358p to 364p/kg on U-3 grading animals, although farmers indicate that all processors are working from a base of 364p/kg.

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However, farmers with good numbers to sell are holding out for higher prices and with factory agents anxious to secure cattle, they are being offered improved deals.

Farmers report deals of 368p to 370p/kg are being made on steers and young bulls that meet market specifications on weight and age.

Finishers with bigger numbers of in-spec steers and heifers are securing deals over 370p/kg, with reports of 378p to 380p/kg having been paid to regular finishers at the top end of the market.

Prices in Ireland are also creeping upwards, with an increase of 2c to 3c/kg on prime cattle. This brings R grading heifers to a base of 360p/kg, with U grades making up to 380p/kg.

In Britain, the beef trade is also improving, with prices surpassing 390p/kg for U grade cattle in Scotland and deals above 380p/kg in parts of England.

As demand for beef increases, some plants are resorting to increasing imports of cull cows from Britain to maintain throughput.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers rose by 1.4p to 360.76p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers rose to 370.7p/kg, with U3 heifers averaging 374.4p/kg.

Cows

With prime cattle numbers tightening, there is more life in the cow trade. Quotes remain on 290p/kg for O+3 animals, with 300p/kg for R3 cows. However, deals are being made well ahead of quotes, with 320p/kg on offer.

Spring lamb trade

The number of spring lambs coming out has increased and the factories have cut their quotes by 40p and 45p/kg to 550p and 545p/kg. This makes a 21kg lamb worth £115.50.

The number of lambs in the marts is rising and prices are trending downwards.

Kilrea sold 150 spring lambs from 511p to 537p/kg, down by 5p to 11p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 368 lambs making from 530p to 560p/kg, down by 10p/kg for heavier lambs.

In Saintfield, 372 lambs made from 500p to 525p/kg, down by 30p/kg and more on last week.

In Rathfriland, 344 lambs averaged 513p/kg, down by 28p/kg on last week.

In Ballymena, Wednesday, early lots at 23kg were making £114 to £116 or 495p to 505p/kg.

The hogget trade is ending and Massereene sold 131 hoggets from 420p to 510p/kg, down by 20p/kg for heavier lots.

The fat ewe trade is still good, but top prices are lower at most of the marts. Swatragh sold 150 head to a top of £116. In Omagh, top price was £104 for 262 sold. In Massereene, the top was £116 and in Saintfield was £110. And Rathfriland sold 247 head to £100.

In Ballymena, at their last breeding sheep sale of the season, Texel and Suffolk ewes with twin lambs at foot made from £180 to £210 for the outfit.