The cattle trade remains firm, despite the bank holiday weekend reducing the number of kill days. For the second week, there has been some upward movement in factory quotes, with several plants adding a further 2p/kg to their base.

Official quotes now start from 344p/kg, with the best quote of 350p/kg still on offer for U-3 grade cattle.

Despite the shorter kill week, processors are still anxious for cattle and this is being reflected in prices reported by farmers.

Several farmers with limited numbers have indicated they have secured deals of 350p to 355p/kg, with more regular sellers securing 2p to 4p/kg above this and reports of 356p to 360p/kg on offer.

Farmers with a good supply of heifers have found it much easier to negotiate a higher price. Indications are that steers are making 2p/kg less at the top of the market.

Young bulls are moving at 350p to 355p/kg, although regular sellers with animals that meet market spec on weight and age have secured up to 360p/kg.

Dairy-bred cattle are helping to underpin throughput at several plants. Prices have also improved on the back of tighter supplies of prime cattle and cows in recent weeks. O grade cattle are moving at 335p to 340p, with P grades around the 320p/kg mark.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was 345.76p/kg, up by 1.5p/kg on the previous week.

The average price paid on U3 steers was 356.7p/kg, up 2p/kg. The average price for U3 heifers was 358p/kg, up 0.7p/kg on the previous week. The average price paid on young bulls increased by 8p/kg to 350.5p/kg.

Cows

The cow trade remains strong. Factory quotes are unchanged, with 250p to 255p/kg on O+3 animals, while R grade cows are priced from 260p to 265p/kg. Deals are being made for good-quality beef cows at 270p to 290p/kg.

Hogget trade

Hogget numbers are falling. Quotes at the plants are at 400p/kg, which is unchanged from last week. There are more spring lambs on offer than the market requires and quotes are dull at 460p and 450p/kg.

These quotes put a 22kg hogget into £88 and a 21kg lamb to over £96 at the plants.

Not all marts were open due to the holidays. Those that were had small shows and mart prices are lower than the plant prices.

Heavy hoggets in Saintfield made to £90, with mid-weights making from £80 to £85. Top prices for spring lambs were £88 in Gortin, £86 in Lisahally and £90 in Saintfield.

In Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, there was a good trade and 120 hoggets sold to a top of £94.50 for heavies at 28kg. Spring lambs sold to a top of £99 for 22.5kg and 23kg, while 90 ewes sold to a top of £118. The top price for ewes in Saintfield was £90/head.

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Solid trade continues at Lisnaskea mart