The trade in finished cattle has improved again this week, with one plant putting 2p on its quotes for steers and heifers.

The best quote for both U-3 grade steers and heifers is at 350p/kg, with others at 348p and 346p.

But sellers remain in a strong negotiating position and most regular suppliers are starting at a base of 356p/kg and above.

That is reflected in the average prices paid last week, with U3 steers at 356.8p, R3 steers at 357.1p and U3 heifers at 357.3p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers last week, prices paid averaged 345.8p/kg – compare that with similar weeks in April 2016 when this average dipped below 300p/kg. On a 400kg carcase, the difference is worth £180.

The trade in Britain has also edged up gradually in recent weeks, with quotes for R4Ls now starting around the 360p/kg mark in the north of England.

However, across Britain, the average prices being paid are similar to NI, with NI prices ahead on some of the poorer conformation grades.

With finished cattle numbers reasonably tight and demand for fresh beef robust, the British beef market is well balanced at present.

In NI, the number of cattle coming in from the south for slaughter last week was 220 head, well down on the previous two weeks as prices there also strengthen.

Trade in the opposite direction was 128 head and only 17 cattle went across to Britain.

There are signs that cull cows in NI are getting scarcer and trade has improved at one plant this week by 5p/kg. This puts the best quote for an O+3 grade cow at 260p/kg, with others quoting 254p and 250p/kg.

The best quote for an R grade is up to 270p/kg, with others on 260p/kg.

Last week, the prices paid for R4 grading cows averaged 289.6p/kg.

Sheep trade

With hogget numbers getting tighter, quotes at the plants are up by 10p and 5p and 410p/kg is now on offer, worth £90.20 for 22kg.

The market for spring lamb remains limited and quotes are at 460p/kg, worth £96.60 for 21kg.

In Kilrea, hoggets sold from 380p to 433p/kg, which was up by 20p to 30p on their pre-Easter sale.

Massereene had 380 hoggets from 360p to 395p/kg, up by 20p on pre-Easter. They sold 104 spring lambs making from 400p to 430p/kg.

In Saintfield, 270 hoggets sold from 346p to 380p/kg; with spring lambs at 400p to 420p/kg.

In Rathfriland, spring lambs sold from 410p to 444p/kg and averaged 432p.

The trade in fat ewes remains buoyant, with very good top prices. They sold to a top of £110 in Newtownstewart; to £131 in Omagh; to £120 in Kilrea; and to £123 in Massereene. In Saintfield, 280 ewes sold to a top of £112; and Rathfriland had a show of 200 ewes with the best making £100/head.