The cattle trade remains subdued and factory prices continue to face some level of pressure. One plant has reduced its base quote by 4p/kg, while others are unchanged.
This puts a U-3 steer on a starting base of 340p to 346p/kg, with heifers on a top quote of 348p/kg. Deals above base price are mainly limited to larger finishers killing bigger numbers of cattle on a regular basis.
With supplies of cattle still exceeding processing demand, cattle agents are able to secure adequate numbers, with a week to 10 days delay in getting animals processed.
However, there have been agents suggesting that there are fewer cattle on offer compared with previous weeks.
Most reports indicate that prime steers are moving at 346p to 350p/kg, with more regular sellers managing to negotiate above this.
Heifers are moving at 348p to 350p/kg, with 2p to 6p/kg more on offer for bigger numbers. Where larger numbers of heifers are being offloaded, there is less of a delay in getting animals slaughtered.
Young bulls are moving at base price, with little scope to negotiate for a higher price. Dairy-bred animals continue to face price pressure, with 30p to 40p/kg below base price on offer, depending on conformation.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell by 0.8p/kg to 347.88p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was 352.7p/kg, with U3 heifers averaging 359.2p/kg.
Prices have also slowed in Britain, with R grade steers down by 1.3p/kg to 373.5p/kg and heifers slipping to 370.3p/kg.
Cow trade
The cull cow trade continues to face price pressure as demand for manufacturing beef is slow. The live trade for cull cows is also weak, reducing the options for farmers with number to sell. Quotes remain on 255p/kg for R3 cows, with O+3 animals on 245p/kg.
Lamb trade
The lamb trade has strengthened this week and the factories are now paying to 22kg deadweight. Quotes are at 390p and 395p/kg. This makes a lamb worth £86.90 at the 22kg limit.
In the marts, there was a steady supply of lambs and prices were firmer, by up to 15p/kg.
On Monday in Kilrea, they sold 300 lambs from 356p to 397p/kg, up by 15p/kg for heavier lambs. Massereene sold 868 lambs making from 355p to 386p/kg, up by 15p/kg for heavier lambs.
On Tuesday, Saintfield had a show of 822 lambs making from 350p to 453p/kg, up by 10p/kg for heavier lambs.
In Rathfriland, 600 lambs sold from 324p to 404p/kg and averaged 349p/kg.
Lisahally had a very good trade, with heavy lambs at 27kg selling to £90.50. Good in-spec lambs were firm, selling from £86 to £89/head. Store lambs made to £75.20.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade has slipped again, with top prices down in the marts. The top price in Omagh was £75 for 114 sold. Swatragh sold 167 head to £75. The top in Massereene was £82 for 104 sold. In Kilrea, they sold to £82 and in Saintfield to £80. Rathfriland sold 62 ewes to £84.
In Ballymena, forward store lambs were a great trade. The best Suffolks made £82 and £77/head, with Texels at £76.50 and £75. Ewe lambs were a good trade, with five pens of crossbreds making from £84 to £92.
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Beef trends update: weekly live exports to Spain remain at over 1,100 head
The cattle trade remains subdued and factory prices continue to face some level of pressure. One plant has reduced its base quote by 4p/kg, while others are unchanged.
This puts a U-3 steer on a starting base of 340p to 346p/kg, with heifers on a top quote of 348p/kg. Deals above base price are mainly limited to larger finishers killing bigger numbers of cattle on a regular basis.
With supplies of cattle still exceeding processing demand, cattle agents are able to secure adequate numbers, with a week to 10 days delay in getting animals processed.
However, there have been agents suggesting that there are fewer cattle on offer compared with previous weeks.
Most reports indicate that prime steers are moving at 346p to 350p/kg, with more regular sellers managing to negotiate above this.
Heifers are moving at 348p to 350p/kg, with 2p to 6p/kg more on offer for bigger numbers. Where larger numbers of heifers are being offloaded, there is less of a delay in getting animals slaughtered.
Young bulls are moving at base price, with little scope to negotiate for a higher price. Dairy-bred animals continue to face price pressure, with 30p to 40p/kg below base price on offer, depending on conformation.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell by 0.8p/kg to 347.88p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was 352.7p/kg, with U3 heifers averaging 359.2p/kg.
Prices have also slowed in Britain, with R grade steers down by 1.3p/kg to 373.5p/kg and heifers slipping to 370.3p/kg.
Cow trade
The cull cow trade continues to face price pressure as demand for manufacturing beef is slow. The live trade for cull cows is also weak, reducing the options for farmers with number to sell. Quotes remain on 255p/kg for R3 cows, with O+3 animals on 245p/kg.
Lamb trade
The lamb trade has strengthened this week and the factories are now paying to 22kg deadweight. Quotes are at 390p and 395p/kg. This makes a lamb worth £86.90 at the 22kg limit.
In the marts, there was a steady supply of lambs and prices were firmer, by up to 15p/kg.
On Monday in Kilrea, they sold 300 lambs from 356p to 397p/kg, up by 15p/kg for heavier lambs. Massereene sold 868 lambs making from 355p to 386p/kg, up by 15p/kg for heavier lambs.
On Tuesday, Saintfield had a show of 822 lambs making from 350p to 453p/kg, up by 10p/kg for heavier lambs.
In Rathfriland, 600 lambs sold from 324p to 404p/kg and averaged 349p/kg.
Lisahally had a very good trade, with heavy lambs at 27kg selling to £90.50. Good in-spec lambs were firm, selling from £86 to £89/head. Store lambs made to £75.20.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade has slipped again, with top prices down in the marts. The top price in Omagh was £75 for 114 sold. Swatragh sold 167 head to £75. The top in Massereene was £82 for 104 sold. In Kilrea, they sold to £82 and in Saintfield to £80. Rathfriland sold 62 ewes to £84.
In Ballymena, forward store lambs were a great trade. The best Suffolks made £82 and £77/head, with Texels at £76.50 and £75. Ewe lambs were a good trade, with five pens of crossbreds making from £84 to £92.
Read more
Watch: managing forage crops – doing the sums on allocation
Beef trends update: weekly live exports to Spain remain at over 1,100 head
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