The beef trade has steadied this week, with quotes for steers and heifers at 346p/kg, although one plant is on 344p. In-spec cattle are in good demand, with 350p/kg and above still widely available for butcher-type heifers.

Quotes are on an all-in basis for in-specs, with the well-established range of penalties applying to out-of-spec cattle.

The number imported for slaughter from the south last week was 650 head. Exports to the south increased to 516 head, and 268 head went across to Britain.

Despite attempts by some factories to take prices down last week, the overall average for prime cattle was generally unchanged from the previous week. Heifers averaged 344.2p/kg, while steers were at 338.3p/kg.

In the fat cow trade, the market for R and O+ grade cows has eased slightly at one plant and are now in the range of 240p to 245p/kg. The prices paid for top-grading cows slipped below 260p/kg last week for the first time since early June. There are plenty of cows coming forward as dairy farmers cull out tail-end animals.

Lamb quotes

Lamb quotes are still on the rise, with factories paying 375p/kg and under pressure to move to 380p. In the marts, prices were up on last week by from 2p to 10p/kg. In Kilrea, there was a small show of 400 lambs selling from 330p to 358p, up 10p for heavier lambs. Fat ewes sold to £100. Massereene had a show of 902 lambs selling from 340p to 376p, up 5p to 9p/kg. Lambs at 24kg sold for £84, with very heavy lambs making £90. Fat ewes sold to £98. In Saintfield, they had a big sale of 942 lambs ranging from 320p to 426p, up around 2p, with store lambs making the biggest prices. Lambs at 24kg made £84 (350p per kg) and 26kg made £87 (335p). And fat ewes sold up to £107. Rathfriland sold 990 lambs from 333p to 425p/kg and averaged 352p, up 9p/kg on last week. Fat ewes sold to £102.