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The beef trade remains on a steady footing this week, with processors leaving base quotes unchanged on 348p to 350p/kg for U-3 grading cattle.
Some agents state they have been unsuccessful in reducing quotes further, as the live trade is providing a strong alternative market for farmers with limited numbers.
However, the gap between base quotes and actual prices being paid has reduced significantly. Farmers report cattle are moving at 350p to 352p/kg, with others managing to secure 354p to 356p/kg, but delays on slaughtering animals remain.
More regular sellers with bigger numbers of cattle on offer have managed to negotiate 358p to 360p/kg at the upper end of the market, mostly on in-spec steers and heifers.
Cattle that qualify for premium breed schemes are moving at base price, but bonuses are returning over 400p/kg for those meeting specs on carcase weight and conformation.
Beef animals originating from the dairy herd remain a solid trade, with 330p to 348p/kg on offer, depending on grade, weight and the number of stock for sale. Good-quality beef cows remain on 300p to 310p/kg. Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers eased to 350.69p/kg. The average price paid on U3 cattle was 361.9p/kg, with U3 heifers on 362p/kg. Cows averaged 301.7p/kg for R grading animals.
Imports
Cattle prices have hardened in Ireland this week, with finishers resisting further price cuts. With improved deals on offer south of the border and the exchange rate moving against sterling buyers, there have been fewer Irish cattle imported for slaughter at local plants. Just 44 cattle moved north for slaughter and year-to-date imports now stand at 359 compared with 1,109 for the same period last year.
Imports from Britain totalled 142, with year-to-date figures standing at 914 compared with 831 last year.
Hogget trade
Quotes for hoggets at meat plants have increased significantly, with 425p/kg now on offer. With supplies getting tight, more is on offer. A 22kg hogget is worth £93.50 at base quote and carcase limit.
In the marts, numbers were well down and prices rose as southern buyers were more active, especially for clean hoggets. In Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, the average was up by 24p/kg or almost £6 to £100/head.
At Kilrea, 295 hoggets made from 379p to 414p/kg, up by 13p to 36p/kg on last week.
Massereene sold 526 hoggets making from 390p to 445p/kg, up by 10p to 25p/kg on last week.
In Saintfield, 490 hoggets sold from 400p to 460p/kg, up by 24p to 30p/kg.
In Rathfriland, a show of 400 hoggets sold from 390p to 428p/kg and averaged 414p/kg, up by 24p/kg.
In Lisahally, good clean hoggets sold from £100 to £106/head.
The fat ewe trade continues firm. Top price in Omagh was £126. Swatragh was £149 for a big sale of 300 ewes. In Massereene, top price was £101 and, in Saintfield, it was £100/head. Rathfriland sold 156 ewes to £95/head.
Store lambs in Ballymena, Monday evening, saw the best Suffolks and Charollais at £76, with Texels at £70 and Blackface at £69. The best Suffolk in-lamb ewes made £142 and £140 with Texels at £128 and £108.
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