The prospects of a rise in cattle prices before Christmas is looking increasingly unlikely, as the beef trade remains flat.
Processors indicate that sales are slow, with demand for manufacturing beef in particular being extremely weak.
In addition, supplies of finished cattle remain plentiful, with cattle agents indicating they are fully booked for next week. Some plants have shaved 2p/kg to 4p/kg off base quotes, which puts U3 steers on 346p/kg, with U3 heifers on a base of 348p/kg.
With a delay in getting cattle booked for slaughter, farmers report that some agents are reluctant to quote until animals are offloaded. But this appears to be mostly for farmers with smaller numbers for sale.
The gap between base quotes and prices being paid has closed significantly. Most farmers indicate that steers are moving at 348p to 350p/kg. Regular sellers are securing 2p to 4p/kg more where larger numbers of prime animals are being offloaded.
Heifers are moving at similar prices to steers, with young bulls moving at 344p to 348p/kg. Cattle sourced from the dairy herd are a difficult trade, with many agents reluctant to take such animals at present.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell by 0.7p/kg to 348.63p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was down 1.7p/kg to 354.3p/kg, with U3 heifers increasing slightly to 361.4p/kg.
Prices in Britain have also eased, as supplies increase and markets remain slow. The average price on an R4L steer was down 3.1p to 374.8p/kg, with heifers down 4p to 371.5p/kg, according to official price reports.
Cows
Demand for cull cows is extremely slow, with cattle agents preferring prime cattle for the Christmas trade.
Prices have eased again this week, with base quotes on O+3 animals ranging from 225p to 245p/kg, with R3 cows on a top quote of 255p/kg.
Lamb trade
There is a much firmer outlook for the fat lamb trade this week, with one plant adding 5p/kg on its base quote, bringing it to 385p/kg. This makes a lamb worth £80.85 at the 21kg limit. Quotes to 22kg will be available next week.
In the marts, prices were firm, with in-spec lambs making to £85/head.
On Monday in Kilrea, they sold 400 lambs from 341p to 403p/kg, up by 4p/kg for the main weight range and up 20p/kg for lighter lambs. Massereene sold 986 lambs making from 340p to 378p/kg, unchanged for the main weight range, but up 17p/kg for lighter lambs. Lambs from 23kg to 25kg were a very steady trade, making from £82 to £86. Heavier lambs made no extra, with 27kg at £85 and £85.50. Light lambs from 19kg to 20.5kg made from £70 to £73.50.
On Tuesday, Saintfield had a show of 701 lambs making from 340p to 397p/kg, up by 10p/kg for the main weight range. In Lisahally, good in-spec lambs were a firm trade, selling from £82 to £85 each.
Ewes
With big sales of cull ewes in GB, the fat ewe trade here is dull. The top price in Omagh was £83 for 87 sold. Swatragh sold 167 head to £85. The top in Massereene was £82 for good Suffolks, with a big range of £60 to £70/head paid, depending on quality. Kilrea sold to £92 and in Saintfield 131 ewes sold to £80.
Read more
Farmer Writes: frustrated by variable weight gains in cattle
Watch: weighing calves – analysing the results
The prospects of a rise in cattle prices before Christmas is looking increasingly unlikely, as the beef trade remains flat.
Processors indicate that sales are slow, with demand for manufacturing beef in particular being extremely weak.
In addition, supplies of finished cattle remain plentiful, with cattle agents indicating they are fully booked for next week. Some plants have shaved 2p/kg to 4p/kg off base quotes, which puts U3 steers on 346p/kg, with U3 heifers on a base of 348p/kg.
With a delay in getting cattle booked for slaughter, farmers report that some agents are reluctant to quote until animals are offloaded. But this appears to be mostly for farmers with smaller numbers for sale.
The gap between base quotes and prices being paid has closed significantly. Most farmers indicate that steers are moving at 348p to 350p/kg. Regular sellers are securing 2p to 4p/kg more where larger numbers of prime animals are being offloaded.
Heifers are moving at similar prices to steers, with young bulls moving at 344p to 348p/kg. Cattle sourced from the dairy herd are a difficult trade, with many agents reluctant to take such animals at present.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell by 0.7p/kg to 348.63p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was down 1.7p/kg to 354.3p/kg, with U3 heifers increasing slightly to 361.4p/kg.
Prices in Britain have also eased, as supplies increase and markets remain slow. The average price on an R4L steer was down 3.1p to 374.8p/kg, with heifers down 4p to 371.5p/kg, according to official price reports.
Cows
Demand for cull cows is extremely slow, with cattle agents preferring prime cattle for the Christmas trade.
Prices have eased again this week, with base quotes on O+3 animals ranging from 225p to 245p/kg, with R3 cows on a top quote of 255p/kg.
Lamb trade
There is a much firmer outlook for the fat lamb trade this week, with one plant adding 5p/kg on its base quote, bringing it to 385p/kg. This makes a lamb worth £80.85 at the 21kg limit. Quotes to 22kg will be available next week.
In the marts, prices were firm, with in-spec lambs making to £85/head.
On Monday in Kilrea, they sold 400 lambs from 341p to 403p/kg, up by 4p/kg for the main weight range and up 20p/kg for lighter lambs. Massereene sold 986 lambs making from 340p to 378p/kg, unchanged for the main weight range, but up 17p/kg for lighter lambs. Lambs from 23kg to 25kg were a very steady trade, making from £82 to £86. Heavier lambs made no extra, with 27kg at £85 and £85.50. Light lambs from 19kg to 20.5kg made from £70 to £73.50.
On Tuesday, Saintfield had a show of 701 lambs making from 340p to 397p/kg, up by 10p/kg for the main weight range. In Lisahally, good in-spec lambs were a firm trade, selling from £82 to £85 each.
Ewes
With big sales of cull ewes in GB, the fat ewe trade here is dull. The top price in Omagh was £83 for 87 sold. Swatragh sold 167 head to £85. The top in Massereene was £82 for good Suffolks, with a big range of £60 to £70/head paid, depending on quality. Kilrea sold to £92 and in Saintfield 131 ewes sold to £80.
Read more
Farmer Writes: frustrated by variable weight gains in cattle
Watch: weighing calves – analysing the results
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