Two of the plants have taken 2p and 4p off quotes this week, another is unchanged, while another has increased by 2p.

This puts base quotes at most plants at 352p and 354p/kg for U-3 grade clean cattle, although the lowest is at only 350p/kg.

Last week saw the total kill up 350 head to 8,814.

The prime cattle kill at 6,967 was the highest weekly kill in the last five weeks.

The total cow kill was also up slightly, to 1,669.

With slightly more cattle coming forward, it has taken some of the edge off quotes, although 360p/kg and above was widely available last week.

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

Last week, the number imported for slaughter from the south increased by 70, to 616 head.

With the euro at only £0.73, and recently hitting a seven-year low against sterling, southern Irish cattle are trading up to 60p/kg behind local prices. There are also plenty of reports that buyers from NI have been active in southern marts for stores.

Despite the difficulties complying with labelling requirements, and therefore a limited outlet, there is still a mechanism to market these cattle, once finished, through various butcher and wholesaler outlets.

Exports to the south were 300 head, but only 37 cattle went across to Britain, given the strong performance of local prices against those available across the Irish Sea.

The prices paid last week were down slightly on the previous week. Steers averaged 350p/kg, down 1p, while heifers averaged 351.6p/kg, down 2p. U3 grading steers and heifers averaged 363p/kg. U3 grading young bulls were over 20p/kg behind, at 341.1p/kg.

The fat cow trade remains steady and the market for R and O+ grade cows is from 250p to 260p/kg.

Hoggets

Hogget quotes this week are unchanged at 400p/kg at the plants, although with higher prices in the marts, farmers can look for 405p with a good chance of getting the price.

The higher mart prices were despite numbers increasing compared with the previous week.

Last Saturday, Omagh had a show of 814 hoggets selling from 352p to 381p, up 9p/kg.

This week, in Kilrea, a show of 560 hoggets sold from 356p to 373p, up 4p/kg.

Massereene sold 762 hoggets, making from 365p to 400p/kg, up 15p/kg.

Saintfield, Tuesday, sold 400 hoggets from 353p to 400p, up by 3p to 10p/kg. Heavy hoggets made the highest prices per head, with 26kg at £91.50 and £92.00.

The trade for good fat ewes is still very good, with top prices of £120 in Swatragh, £132 in Omagh, £118 in Kilrea, £126 in Massereene and £119 in Saintfield for 70 head.