The beef trade has come under pressure this week, as supplies of finished cattle increase and a backlog of cattle starts to build.

The current dry spell has created grazing shortages across the province, especially in the eastern half.

As a result, there has been an increase in the number of farmers looking to offload extra cattle to reduce grazing demand.

ADVERTISEMENT

With more cattle coming on to the market, processors have sufficient numbers booked for the remainder of this week and next week also. Furthermore, with meat plants closing for the holiday period next week, factory agents indicate they will be able to source cattle with relative ease over the next two to three weeks.

Processors have seized on the opportunity to reduce beef prices this week, shaving another 2p to 4p/kg from base quotes, which now range from 350p to 358p/kg.

With plants in a strong position due to increased cattle supplies, farmers are finding it difficult to negotiate on price.

Deals on offer are typically 360p to 362p/kg, with cattle moving freely at these prices. Farmers with limited numbers are being held at base price, as are farmers offloading cattle due to a grazing shortage that are struggling to meet market spec.

Larger finishers and regular finishers are faring better, with prices of 364p to 366p/kg being reported.

Last week, the average price on steers and heifers fell by more than 3p/kg to 362.05p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was down 4p/kg to 368.9p/kg, while U3 grading heifers averaged 371.5p/kg, a drop of 3.5p/kg.

Cows

Demand for manufacturing beef is holding steady, which is helping to keep a floor in the cull cow trade. Base quotes for O+3 grading animals range from 270p to 275p, with R3 grading cows on 280p to 294p/kg. Deals of 10p/kg ahead of base price are available.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade is down again this week, with the plants taking 20p to 25p/kg off their quotes. The best quote is 445p/kg, which makes a lamb worth £93.45 at the 21kg limit.

There were more lambs on offer in the marts. Saintfield had a show of over 1,100 lambs, three times more than last week, while Rathfriland had 1,000 head, twice as many as last week. As a result, prices are down by 28p to 30p/kg.

In Kilrea, they sold 500 lambs from 410p to 437p/kg, down by 10p to 13p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 762 lambs making from 425p to 469p/kg, down only 5p/kg on last week.

In Saintfield, a very big show of 1,101 lambs made from 390p to 430p/kg, down by 30p/kg on last week.

At Rathfriland, a big show of 1,000 lambs sold in the range of 385p to 420p/kg. The overall average was 402p/kg, down by 28p/kg on last week.

The fat ewe trade is holding up well, with some top prices up on last week. Swatragh sold 200 head to a top of £106. In Omagh, top was £105 for 184 sold. In Massereene, the top was £134 for 272 sold and in Saintfield it was £120 for 217 sold. In Rathfriland, 298 head sold to £107.