There is a mixed picture with cattle quotes at the plants, with the best quote at 332p/kg for U-3 grades for both steers and heifers. Other plants are at 326p and 328p, but are under pressure to offer more.

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

The trend in recent weeks of base quotes being significantly behind actual prices has continued, with U3 steers last week at 344p/kg and U3 heifers at 347.4p/kg.

The gap has consistently been around the 15p/kg mark.

It suggests that some finishers are supplying at a contract price, while others have been able to negotiate prices well ahead of quotes.

While there is no doubt that finishers need every penny they can get to make a margin, unfortunately it seems that someone else has to pay, which in this case is smaller farmers in a relatively weak bargaining position.

Despite relatively tight numbers coming forward, the beef market in Britain remains sluggish, with meat traders pointing to significantly cheaper Irish imports (due to the weak euro).

Slow demand

Demand for beef is also described as reasonably slow – lower prices to farmers are not reflected in lower prices to consumers.

The weak euro also continues to make it attractive for some NI slaughter plants to take cattle from the south.

The number imported for slaughter last week was substantial at 558 head.

Exports to the south were 259 head; and only 39 head went across to Britain. Prices there are 10 to 15p/kg ahead of NI.

The total cattle kill in NI last week of 7,151 was one of the lowest for the year to date.

The fat cow quote has increased at one plant by 5p/kg and best quotes are now at 255p for an R grade and 245p for an O+ grade.

Hoggets

With the continuing difficulties in the cross-border trade, hogget and lamb quotes and prices continue to fall.

Hogget quotes are down a further 40p to 310p/kg up to 22kg, while spring lamb is down 30p to 390p/kg to 21kg at one plant and no quote at the other.

Trade is also slow in the marts. Massereene sold 301 hoggets from 300p to 343p/kg, down 5p for heavier weights. Saintfield sold 321 hoggets from 240p to 300p, down by 10p to 20p/kg. And Rathfriland had 186 hoggets from 212p to 319p and averaged 274p, down 21p/kg.

Spring lambs in Kilrea made 352p to 369p/kg for 120 head, down 30p/kg. Massereene had 116 head from 375p to 408p/kg, down 25p/kg. Saintfield sold 50 spring lambs from 340p to 390p, unchanged from last week. Rathfriland sold from 340p to 382p and averaged 366p, down only 2p for 300 head.

The trade in fat ewes was steadier, selling to a top of £118 in Omagh; £113 in Kilrea; £94 in Massereene; £96 in Saintfield; and £89 in Rathfriland.