There are few positives in the beef trade this week as delays in getting animals processed continue and plants have made further cuts to base price.
Prime cattle are on quotes of 320p/kg to 326p/kg on steers, with heifers on a top quote of 328p/kg.
Negotiating beyond base price is becoming extremely difficult and higher prices are generally reserved for larger finishers supplying cattle on a weekly basis.
Farmers killing cattle this week indicate that steers and heifers are being held to the top end of base quotes outlined.
Getting young bulls processed has become an issue for several farmers. With slaughter delays building, offloading bulls before they exceed the 16 month age limit is a problem.
For other finishers, the delays in getting animals slaughtered is resulting in bulls exceeding carcase weight limits and as such, price penalties are being applied.
With delays of two to three weeks in offloading animals, farmers are advised to give factory agents early notice when booking bulls for slaughter.
With the bank holiday next week, plants are working to a four day kill schedule which will add to slaughter delays.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell 2.5p to 328.07p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers fell by 4.3p to 332.1p/kg with U3 heifers down 3.1p/kg to 339.7kg. The price paid on U3 bulls averaged 324.5p/kg.
While prices have eased, they are still running 2p/kg ahead of the EU average on steers and heifers.
Cattle imported from the Republic of Ireland for slaughter at NI plants totalled 100 head, with 150 animals, mostly heifers, heading south.
Cows
The cow trade is steady with plants holding quotes on 260p/kg for R3 grading animals and 255p/kg on O+3 animals.
Based on official price reports, R3 cows averaged 273.9p/kg last week with O+3 animals on 251.3p/kg last week.
Lamb trade
Lamb quotes continue to fall, with the best quote at processing plants on 395p/kg, making a lamb worth £82.95 at the 21kg weight limit. Mart prices are also down. In Rathfriland on Tuesday evening, prices were down 19p/kg, but the feeling was that the drop was less than expected.
In Kilrea, 450 lambs sold from 348p to 370p/kg, down by 32p/kg for heavier lambs and 19p/kg for lighter sorts.
In Massereene, 839 lambs sold from 345p to 374p/kg, down by 35p/kg for heavier lambs and 15p/kg for lighter sorts.
In Saintfield, 532 lambs made 345p to 380p/kg, down by 15p to 20p/kg on last week.
Trade in Rathfriland was back and 601 lambs made 335p to 380p/kg and averaged 359p/kg, down by 19p/kg on last week. Heavy lambs made to £87, with 23kg making £83.50 and 21kg making £72 to £75.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is good and well-fleshed ewes are making £100/head and more. Omagh sold to a top of £95/head and in Swatragh, ewes made £134. In Massereene, the top was £109 and in Kilrea, it was £85. In Saintfield, ewes sold to a top of £100. In Rathfriland, the top was £115, then £105 and plenty above £90.
Read more
Watch: Belfast Royal Academy in ABP Angus Youth Challenge
Exclusive: Brazil must reverse deforestation under Mercosur deal
There are few positives in the beef trade this week as delays in getting animals processed continue and plants have made further cuts to base price.
Prime cattle are on quotes of 320p/kg to 326p/kg on steers, with heifers on a top quote of 328p/kg.
Negotiating beyond base price is becoming extremely difficult and higher prices are generally reserved for larger finishers supplying cattle on a weekly basis.
Farmers killing cattle this week indicate that steers and heifers are being held to the top end of base quotes outlined.
Getting young bulls processed has become an issue for several farmers. With slaughter delays building, offloading bulls before they exceed the 16 month age limit is a problem.
For other finishers, the delays in getting animals slaughtered is resulting in bulls exceeding carcase weight limits and as such, price penalties are being applied.
With delays of two to three weeks in offloading animals, farmers are advised to give factory agents early notice when booking bulls for slaughter.
With the bank holiday next week, plants are working to a four day kill schedule which will add to slaughter delays.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell 2.5p to 328.07p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers fell by 4.3p to 332.1p/kg with U3 heifers down 3.1p/kg to 339.7kg. The price paid on U3 bulls averaged 324.5p/kg.
While prices have eased, they are still running 2p/kg ahead of the EU average on steers and heifers.
Cattle imported from the Republic of Ireland for slaughter at NI plants totalled 100 head, with 150 animals, mostly heifers, heading south.
Cows
The cow trade is steady with plants holding quotes on 260p/kg for R3 grading animals and 255p/kg on O+3 animals.
Based on official price reports, R3 cows averaged 273.9p/kg last week with O+3 animals on 251.3p/kg last week.
Lamb trade
Lamb quotes continue to fall, with the best quote at processing plants on 395p/kg, making a lamb worth £82.95 at the 21kg weight limit. Mart prices are also down. In Rathfriland on Tuesday evening, prices were down 19p/kg, but the feeling was that the drop was less than expected.
In Kilrea, 450 lambs sold from 348p to 370p/kg, down by 32p/kg for heavier lambs and 19p/kg for lighter sorts.
In Massereene, 839 lambs sold from 345p to 374p/kg, down by 35p/kg for heavier lambs and 15p/kg for lighter sorts.
In Saintfield, 532 lambs made 345p to 380p/kg, down by 15p to 20p/kg on last week.
Trade in Rathfriland was back and 601 lambs made 335p to 380p/kg and averaged 359p/kg, down by 19p/kg on last week. Heavy lambs made to £87, with 23kg making £83.50 and 21kg making £72 to £75.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is good and well-fleshed ewes are making £100/head and more. Omagh sold to a top of £95/head and in Swatragh, ewes made £134. In Massereene, the top was £109 and in Kilrea, it was £85. In Saintfield, ewes sold to a top of £100. In Rathfriland, the top was £115, then £105 and plenty above £90.
Read more
Watch: Belfast Royal Academy in ABP Angus Youth Challenge
Exclusive: Brazil must reverse deforestation under Mercosur deal
SHARING OPTIONS