Cattle quotes up

There has been another small increase in base quotes for cattle this week and 326p/kg is on offer for both steers and heifers, although one plant is on 324p.

With numbers still relatively tight locally, big numbers of cattle continue to be imported from the south for slaughter, with 1,102 head brought in last week.

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Exports to the south were 119 head and 341 head went across to Britain, the biggest weekly number so far this year.

The kill last week was little unchanged at 7,710, although the kill of prime cattle of 6,099 was the largest weekly kill since the end of May. In-spec cattle are currently in good demand.

Prices paid last week reflected the rising market with steers and heifers up 3p/kg to average 320.1p/kg.

Quotes for good grade R and O+ cows are unchanged and are in the range 245p to 250p/kg with 260p for U and R grades at one plant.

R3 cows averaged 269.3p/kg last week, the highest weekly average for nearly a year.

Lamb quotes

The factories have put their weight limit for quotes up by 1kg to 22kg. Quotes are at 340p for FQAS lambs, although one plant is at 335p, but they will be under pressure to go higher. The trade in the marts has picked up a little, although Saintfield on Tuesday was down slightly. Kilrea had a show of 530 lambs selling from 300p to 328p, up by 8p to 10p/kg. And 100 fat ewes sold to £75.50. In Massereene, there was a big show, with 1,146 lambs selling from 305p to 340p/kg, up 5p/kg. Fat ewes made up to £93. In Saintfield, prices for lambs eased. They sold 884 lambs from 296p to 345p/kg, down 4p to 15p/kg. But 159 fat ewes were dearer, selling to a top price of £85.