The cattle trade continues to move firmly in the favour of farmers, as several processors have once again increased base quotes. The biggest increases come from processors who were operating at the lower end of the quote range over the past few weeks.

Official quotes now start at 350p/kg, with the best quote at 356p/kg for U-3 animals. Several factory agents operating on 350p/kg have indicated they are struggling to source cattle at this price, leading them to increase their starting base to 355p to 356p/kg in most instances. With the cattle trade strengthening, beef farmers are in confident mood at Balmoral Show this week.

Farmers continue to highlight that there are various deals on offer for cattle. Prices for steers range from 358p to 362p/kg, with some farmers indicating deals of 366p/kg being paid for heifers, but this is towards the upper end of the market.

With prime cattle prices rising, plainer cattle and out-of-spec animals are also benefitting. Prices on Friesian and dairy-bred cattle have increased, with 335p to 345p/kg on offer. Prices for young bulls have been slower to rise, with most plants paying 355p to 360p/kg for in-spec animals.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers increased by 0.7p/kg to 348.37p/kg. Prices paid on U3 steers averaged 360.5p/kg, with U3 heifers averaging 361.6p/kg.

Cattle numbers remain tight, with processors relying heavily on regular throughput from larger finishers, with others continuing to source additional numbers from south of the border.

Cattle imported from the Republic over the past week totalled 254, an increase of 73 cattle on the same week last year.

Cows

Quotes for cows remain on 255p to 260p/kg for O+3 animals, with R grade animals on 270p/kg. Like the prime cattle trade, cows are in demand as numbers continue to tighten. Farmers are reporting deals of 290p to 300p/kg on good-quality beef cows.

Sheep trade

The hogget trade has finished at one plant, with another offering 400p/kg and worth £88 at the 22kg weight limit.

The market for spring lamb is picking up and with good grazing and the dry weather, lambs are reaching marketing weights earlier. Quotes at the plants are at 460p and 455p/kg, worth up to £96.60 for 21kg.

In the marts, Kilrea sold 200 hoggets from 389p to 417p/kg, little change on last week.

Massereene had only 107 hoggets from 370p to 405p/kg, down by 10p on last week. They sold 342 spring lambs making from 415p to 445p, up by 10p to 15p on last week.

In Saintfield, 130 hoggets sold from 320p to 360p/kg, down by 16p to 20p on last week. They sold 140 spring lambs at 410p to 440p/kg, up 10p on last week.

In Rathfriland, 136 spring lambs sold from 404p to 470p/kg and averaged 433p, up by 11p on last week.

With the hogget trade drying up, the trade in fat ewes is good and top prices are being maintained at most marts. Fat ewes sold to a top of £113 in Newtownstewart; to £111 in Omagh; to £95 in Swatragh; to £85 in Kilrea; and to £115 in Massereene. In Saintfield, 250 ewes sold to a top of £95; and Rathfriland had a show of 146 ewes with the best making £86/head.

Ewes with lambs are still a great trade with the best with twins making over £200 in Ballymena and plenty in the range £178 to £194.