Cattle quotes

There has been a small increase in base quotes this week, with most factories quoting 314p/kg for steers and 316p/kg for heifers.

With numbers tight, there are opportunities for farmers to achieve deals above quotes. The kill last week of 6,323 was the lowest this year to date. Agents report slightly more cattle about this week, as some grass-fed cattle are ready. They are also under less pressure to secure numbers given the upcoming bank holiday weekend. With beef still slow to move, few will commit to any significant increase in base price in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, the trade in cattle for slaughter in and out of NI saw imports from the south at 376 head. Exports to the south were only 90 head and only 80 head went across to Britain. The prices paid last week were similar to the previous two weeks, with heifers averaging 314.3p/kg and steers 313.4p/kg. Top-grading heifers averaged 328.5p/kg.

Quotes for well fleshed O+ and R grading cows are generally in the region of 250 to 255p/kg.

Spring lamb

Lambs are down again this week, with factories quoting 370p/kg for FQAS to 21kg as finished numbers remain strong.

The sheep kill in NI last week of 15,270 was the largest weekly kill since 2009.

In the marts, prices are broadly similar to last week. In Swatragh 500 lambs sold from 326 to 341p/kg.

Massereene sold 602 head from 330p to 395p/kg. Ewes sold to £90 a head.