The balance of power within the beef trade is slowly leaning in favour of farmers, as supplies of factory-fit cattle are extremely limited.
Cattle agents are actively approaching farmers looking for stock. With farmers in a stronger position to negotiate on price, base quotes are on the rise and deals are widely available.
Processing plants increased base quotes by 4p to 8p/kg, with 322p to 324p/kg on offer for U-3 grading animals.
However, base quotes are well short of the price deals on offer. Farmers selling cattle indicate that 330p/kg is widely available and being offered freely on young suckler-bred bulls meeting market specifications on weight limits and age.
At the top end of the market, farmers report that wholesalers have paid up to 350p/kg on butcher-type heifers
Farmers selling steers indicate that 10p/kg over base quotes is being offered, bringing good-quality animals to 332p to 334p/kg.
Heifers are a highly desirable commodity among cattle agents and deals of 340p/kg have been offered to secure numbers from regular finishers.
At the top end of the market, farmers report that wholesalers have paid up to 350p/kg on butcher-type heifers.
Prices on U3 steers averaged 324.5p/kg, up 2p/kg on the week, with U3 heifers rising 4p to 330.6p/kg
This brings cattle prices back in line with those on offer in early March, before the lockdown period saw the loss of key markets within the food service sector. Some of these market outlets are slowly reopening across the UK and underpinning processing demand.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was 318.04p/kg, a rise of 2.5p/kg on the previous week. Prices on U3 steers averaged 324.5p/kg, up 2p/kg on the week, with U3 heifers rising 4p to 330.6p/kg.
Cows
There is also more life in the trade for cull cows as demand for manufacturing beef grows. As such, factory quotes are on the rise, with plants lifting base prices by 8p/kg.
This puts R3 grading animals on 250p/kg. However, farmers report that deals of 285p/kg have been paid on good-quality cows.
Lamb trade
Processing plants are keeping a tight grip on lamb prices this week and are working hard to keep a lid on the trade. Prices quoted for lambs range from 480p to 485p/kg, down 5p/kg on last week. However, farmers report that 490p/kg is being paid. At 490p/kg, spring lambs are worth £102.90 payable to 21kg.
The positive for farmers is that live sales have resumed and there is increased competition for numbers as buyers for southern plants are keen to source factory-fit lambs.
In Swatragh, hoggets and spring lambs together made from 385p to 425p/kg.
Trade in Rathfriland was very similar, with 250 spring lambs making 444p to 490p/kg
In Massereene, 250 spring lambs made 440p to 491p/kg. The top price was £108 for 22kg lots, with 20kg lambs making £98. Lambs weighing 21.5kg to 23kg sold from £101 to £107.50/head. There were some heavies on offer, with 25kg making £105 and 27kg making £109.
Trade in Rathfriland was very similar, with 250 spring lambs making 444p to 490p/kg.
The hogget trade is coming to an end, with quotes at 440p and 450p/kg. In the marts, Massereene sold 198 hoggets from 400p to 433p/kg, while Rathfriland sold 80 hoggets from 390p to 443p/kg.
Ewes
Fat ewes were a good trade in Swatragh, making £124/head. In Massereene, the ewes were plainer, with Texels selling to £104, Suffolks to £100 and Mules to £87.
Read more
Watch: Increasing suckler numbers in north Longford
Beef prices: quotes hold firm following holiday weekend
The balance of power within the beef trade is slowly leaning in favour of farmers, as supplies of factory-fit cattle are extremely limited.
Cattle agents are actively approaching farmers looking for stock. With farmers in a stronger position to negotiate on price, base quotes are on the rise and deals are widely available.
Processing plants increased base quotes by 4p to 8p/kg, with 322p to 324p/kg on offer for U-3 grading animals.
However, base quotes are well short of the price deals on offer. Farmers selling cattle indicate that 330p/kg is widely available and being offered freely on young suckler-bred bulls meeting market specifications on weight limits and age.
At the top end of the market, farmers report that wholesalers have paid up to 350p/kg on butcher-type heifers
Farmers selling steers indicate that 10p/kg over base quotes is being offered, bringing good-quality animals to 332p to 334p/kg.
Heifers are a highly desirable commodity among cattle agents and deals of 340p/kg have been offered to secure numbers from regular finishers.
At the top end of the market, farmers report that wholesalers have paid up to 350p/kg on butcher-type heifers.
Prices on U3 steers averaged 324.5p/kg, up 2p/kg on the week, with U3 heifers rising 4p to 330.6p/kg
This brings cattle prices back in line with those on offer in early March, before the lockdown period saw the loss of key markets within the food service sector. Some of these market outlets are slowly reopening across the UK and underpinning processing demand.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was 318.04p/kg, a rise of 2.5p/kg on the previous week. Prices on U3 steers averaged 324.5p/kg, up 2p/kg on the week, with U3 heifers rising 4p to 330.6p/kg.
Cows
There is also more life in the trade for cull cows as demand for manufacturing beef grows. As such, factory quotes are on the rise, with plants lifting base prices by 8p/kg.
This puts R3 grading animals on 250p/kg. However, farmers report that deals of 285p/kg have been paid on good-quality cows.
Lamb trade
Processing plants are keeping a tight grip on lamb prices this week and are working hard to keep a lid on the trade. Prices quoted for lambs range from 480p to 485p/kg, down 5p/kg on last week. However, farmers report that 490p/kg is being paid. At 490p/kg, spring lambs are worth £102.90 payable to 21kg.
The positive for farmers is that live sales have resumed and there is increased competition for numbers as buyers for southern plants are keen to source factory-fit lambs.
In Swatragh, hoggets and spring lambs together made from 385p to 425p/kg.
Trade in Rathfriland was very similar, with 250 spring lambs making 444p to 490p/kg
In Massereene, 250 spring lambs made 440p to 491p/kg. The top price was £108 for 22kg lots, with 20kg lambs making £98. Lambs weighing 21.5kg to 23kg sold from £101 to £107.50/head. There were some heavies on offer, with 25kg making £105 and 27kg making £109.
Trade in Rathfriland was very similar, with 250 spring lambs making 444p to 490p/kg.
The hogget trade is coming to an end, with quotes at 440p and 450p/kg. In the marts, Massereene sold 198 hoggets from 400p to 433p/kg, while Rathfriland sold 80 hoggets from 390p to 443p/kg.
Ewes
Fat ewes were a good trade in Swatragh, making £124/head. In Massereene, the ewes were plainer, with Texels selling to £104, Suffolks to £100 and Mules to £87.
Read more
Watch: Increasing suckler numbers in north Longford
Beef prices: quotes hold firm following holiday weekend
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