Cattle quotes

After the rises during the past three weeks, quotes at the plants have held steady and 350p/kg is on offer for steers and heifers. According to factory buyers, there are plenty of cattle coming forward. Quotes are on an all-in basis for in-specs, with the well-established range of penalties applying to out-of-spec cattle.

The kill last week of 8,819 was similar to the previous week and by last Friday, some factories were holding back cattle. Despite the stronger numbers coming forward, the kill was still nearly 900 less than the kill on the same week in 2013. An increased kill is expected this week.

The prices paid last week were generally up across all categories as other factories caught up with the 350p top quote. The average steer and heifer price was up by 1.6p to 339.8p/kg, the highest average since early April.

Quotes for good grade R and O+ cows have eased slightly, by 6p, at one plant and quotes are now 248p to 260p/kg. R3 grading cows averaged 271p/kg last week.

Lamb quotes

Competition in the market has pushed lamb quotes to 350p and 360p/kg, up by 15p and 25p/kg. The trade in the marts was very firm, with prices up by from 15p to 27p and more. In Kilrea, there was a show of 620 lambs selling from 320p to 389p, up 15p to 39p/kg with fat ewes to £80 a head. Massereene had a show of 1,254 lambs selling from 325p to 367p, up 20p to 27p/kg. Fat ewes sold to £86. In Saintfield, they sold 705 lambs from 318p to 394p/kg, up 14p to 22p/kg. And 147 fat ewes sold up to £103. Rathfriland on Tuesday evening had a big show, selling 1,338 lambs from 320p to 415p/kg and averaging 342p, up 19p on last week. Fat ewes sold to £98.