There has been movement on cattle pricing this week, with some plants increasing their quotes by 2p/kg on heifers, while others have shaved 2p/kg off steers and heifers.
This brings the range of base quotes on offer to 348p to 352p/kg for U-3 grading animals.
Supplies of finished cattle are plentiful, with farmers still facing delays of up to two weeks in getting animals booked for slaughter.
However, prime heifers are harder to come by and factory agents are keener to negotiate on price for these animals. Heifers are also facing less of a delay in killing date.
Cattle prices are generally steady, with most farmers reporting that plants are working from a starting base of 352p/kg on steers and heifers.
Larger finishers are managing to negotiate above this level, with reports of prime heifers commanding prices of 10p to 12p/kg above base, once premiums have been applied.
Young bulls are a difficult trade, with farmers reporting 348p to 350p/kg being quoted on in-spec animals.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was down by 0.7p to 350.31p/kg.
The average price paid on U3 steers was steady at 356.2p/kg, with U3 heifers continuing to average 364.5p/kg.
The prime cattle kill increased by 378 head to 7,432 last week, making it the highest weekly kill this year.
The cow kill stood at 2,094 head and was down by just over 200 animals on the previous week.
Slaughter cattle imported from south of the border totalled 218 head, down by 78 animals on the previous week.
Exports of slaughter cattle to Britain has eased, with prices easing back by 1p/kg to 380p to 384p/kg for U3 animals.
Cows
Supplies of cull cows are widely available and base quotes have reduced quotes by 5p to 10p/kg. This brings R3 animals to 270p/kg, with O+3 animals on 260p/kg.
Lamb trade
Supplies of lamb are steady and one plant added 5p/kg to its quote, bringing it to 380p/kg, making a lamb worth £79.80 at the 21kg limit.
In the marts, there were good shows and prices were up by 10p/kg or by £2 per head.
On Monday in Kilrea, they sold 300 lambs from 332p to 348p/kg, little changed from last week. Massereene sold 908 lambs making from 340p to 372p/kg, up by 10p/kg.
On Tuesday, Saintfield had a big show of 822 lambs making from 340p to 382p/kg, up 10p/kg for lighter lambs. At Rathfriland, 673 lambs sold from 325p to 427p/kg; averaging 350p/kg, up by 10p/kg on last week. In Lisahally, prices were up £2 per head, with top prices to £85 for very heavy lambs. Good lambs at 24kg to 26kg made from £82 to £84 per head.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is holding steady, with strong top prices in the marts for well-fleshed ewes. The top price in Newtownstewart was £88 and in Omagh, it was £87. Swatragh sold 200 head to £82. Top in Massereene was £90 for 215 sold. Saintfield sold 114 ewes to £90 and in Rathfriland, they made £90.
In Ballymena, forward store lambs were a steady trade. The best Texels made £73 and £70, with Suffolks selling to £70. The best crossbreds for breeding made £141 and £128, with Texels to £128. Ewe lambs were a great trade. Suffolks made £160, £130 and £122, with Mules making £95, £85 and £84.
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There has been movement on cattle pricing this week, with some plants increasing their quotes by 2p/kg on heifers, while others have shaved 2p/kg off steers and heifers.
This brings the range of base quotes on offer to 348p to 352p/kg for U-3 grading animals.
Supplies of finished cattle are plentiful, with farmers still facing delays of up to two weeks in getting animals booked for slaughter.
However, prime heifers are harder to come by and factory agents are keener to negotiate on price for these animals. Heifers are also facing less of a delay in killing date.
Cattle prices are generally steady, with most farmers reporting that plants are working from a starting base of 352p/kg on steers and heifers.
Larger finishers are managing to negotiate above this level, with reports of prime heifers commanding prices of 10p to 12p/kg above base, once premiums have been applied.
Young bulls are a difficult trade, with farmers reporting 348p to 350p/kg being quoted on in-spec animals.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was down by 0.7p to 350.31p/kg.
The average price paid on U3 steers was steady at 356.2p/kg, with U3 heifers continuing to average 364.5p/kg.
The prime cattle kill increased by 378 head to 7,432 last week, making it the highest weekly kill this year.
The cow kill stood at 2,094 head and was down by just over 200 animals on the previous week.
Slaughter cattle imported from south of the border totalled 218 head, down by 78 animals on the previous week.
Exports of slaughter cattle to Britain has eased, with prices easing back by 1p/kg to 380p to 384p/kg for U3 animals.
Cows
Supplies of cull cows are widely available and base quotes have reduced quotes by 5p to 10p/kg. This brings R3 animals to 270p/kg, with O+3 animals on 260p/kg.
Lamb trade
Supplies of lamb are steady and one plant added 5p/kg to its quote, bringing it to 380p/kg, making a lamb worth £79.80 at the 21kg limit.
In the marts, there were good shows and prices were up by 10p/kg or by £2 per head.
On Monday in Kilrea, they sold 300 lambs from 332p to 348p/kg, little changed from last week. Massereene sold 908 lambs making from 340p to 372p/kg, up by 10p/kg.
On Tuesday, Saintfield had a big show of 822 lambs making from 340p to 382p/kg, up 10p/kg for lighter lambs. At Rathfriland, 673 lambs sold from 325p to 427p/kg; averaging 350p/kg, up by 10p/kg on last week. In Lisahally, prices were up £2 per head, with top prices to £85 for very heavy lambs. Good lambs at 24kg to 26kg made from £82 to £84 per head.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is holding steady, with strong top prices in the marts for well-fleshed ewes. The top price in Newtownstewart was £88 and in Omagh, it was £87. Swatragh sold 200 head to £82. Top in Massereene was £90 for 215 sold. Saintfield sold 114 ewes to £90 and in Rathfriland, they made £90.
In Ballymena, forward store lambs were a steady trade. The best Texels made £73 and £70, with Suffolks selling to £70. The best crossbreds for breeding made £141 and £128, with Texels to £128. Ewe lambs were a great trade. Suffolks made £160, £130 and £122, with Mules making £95, £85 and £84.
Read more
Newford weanlings gain 1.21kg from birth to weaning
Beef trends update: factories regrouping on prices offered
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