Base quotes for U-3 cattle at another of the factories has crept up 2p this week to 326p/kg for steers and 328p for heifers and now match the best quotes of last week. Elsewhere, 324p and 326p/kg is the first quote on offer from buyers.

According to regular farmer suppliers, 6p to 8p/kg ahead of base quotes is available for steers. For butcher-type heifers, some have managed to do deals into the low 340s. Factories report that numbers coming forward are sufficient for their needs, but with the late spring, there is still no great rush of finished cattle. More are expected to come forward next month.

In Britain, quotes for R4Ls continue to edge upwards, with reports that some factories are having to pay up to a base of 354p/kg to secure supplies. The differential in actual prices paid between here and Britain currently stands at around 10p to 15p/kg for better grades. This time last year, it was 20p to 25p/kg.

In terms of the prices paid in NI last week, average steer price was down slightly to 322.29p/kg, although heifers were down 2p to average 322.18p/kg. U3 steers and heifers averaged 335.3p and 336.6p/kg respectively.

With finished cattle numbers remaining reasonably tight, the number of cattle coming in from the south for direct slaughter last week picked up slightly, but was still only 111 head. Trade in the opposite direction was 242 head. Given the lower price differences, only 51 cattle were taken across to Britain for slaughter.

Cow trade

The cow trade is steady again this week at the plants, with the best quote for an O+3 grade cow at 250p/kg, with others quoting 245p and 240p/kg. Best quotes for an R grade is 255p/kg, although actual average prices paid for well-fleshed R grades continues to be 10p/kg ahead.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade is under pressure, with a reduced demand from southern buyers and lower prices in the marts.

Quotes have been pulled in the factories to 385p. This makes a lamb worth just under £81 at 21kg. And one plant is forecasting 380p for the end of this week.

In the marts, Kilrea had a show of 494 lambs selling from 350p to 367p, down 4p for heavier lambs.

Massereene had a big show of 967 head making from 345p to 370p, down by 15p to 28p/kg.

Saintfield had a smaller show of 688 lambs selling from 326p to 375p, down by 10p to 20p/kg. Lambs at 23kg made from £76 to £78/head.

A big show in Rathfriland, 1,136 head, sold from 315p to 405p/kg; average 343p, down 19p. Lambs at 22kg made £75, with 23kg at £77 and £78. Top price was £83 for 29kg. Lighter lambs at 18kg made £54.

The trade in fat ewes remains strong and top prices were Newtownstewart to £78, Swatragh to £100, Omagh to £114, Kilrea to £80, Massereene to £85 and Saintfield to £91. In Rathfriland, 371 head sold, with Texels making £123, £118 and £116.