Cattle quotes up 4p

Competition between the factories has lifted base quotes this week by 4p/kg to 320p/kg for both steers and heifers. Higher prices are available for those in a position to bargain, with a number of farmers working off a base of 330p/kg this week for U-3 cattle. The mood in the trade has been helped by tighter numbers and rising prices in Britain.

Good growing conditions means producers are not in a rush to sell. The total kill last week of 7,848 was down 100 head on the previous week.

The kill last week also included the largest number of cattle imported from the south for direct slaughter this year. A total of 1,006 were brought in, with only 96 heading south and 224 going across to Britain. Prices paid were indicative of the stagnant market that has prevailed for most of the summer, with heifers up slightly and steers down slightly on the previous week. Overall prime cattle averaged 313.2p/kg. Quotes for good grade R and O+ cows are unchanged and are in the range 245p to 250p/kg.

Lamb quotes

There are still plenty of lambs coming forward and quotes for lambs at the factories have edged back another 5p this week to 340p/kg for FQAS to 21kg.

The trade in the marts was slightly easier. Kilrea had a show of 520 lambs selling from 294p to 333p, down around 6p/kg. Fat ewes sold to £88.

In Massereene, there was a good show, with 1,166 lambs selling from 295p to 329p/kg, down 5p/kg. Fat ewes made up to £98.

Saintfield sold 661 lambs and they made from 290p to 341p/kg, down 10p for lighter lambs. And 235 fat ewes sold to a top price of £102.

In Rathfriland, a big show of 1,104 lambs sold from 285p to 330p/kg in a solid trade and averaged 311p/kg, down 3p on last week. A big show of 253 fat ewes sold well to a top of £89.