Cattle quotes are holding at 346p/kg at the top end of the market this week for U-3 grade cattle. Some factories have moved to take 2p/kg off their base, leaving them on 340p/kg.

But few, if any, farmers are selling prime cattle at this lower base when other plants are starting from a higher price and keen to source numbers.

Earlier this week, some agents were trying to keep a cap on prices at 350p/kg. While more cattle are coming on to the market, agents indicate that supplies are slower to come out of sheds than they would like.

As such, to secure numbers, farmers are reporting deals of 4p and 6p/kg above base, with some deals of 354p/kg being paid on heifers. Young bulls are moving at 346p to 350p/kg, with dairy-bred cattle moving from a base of 342p/kg at most plants.

Last week, the average price paid on cattle was 345.26p/kg, down 2p/kg on the previous week. U3 grade steers were paid an average price of 355p/kg, with heifers paid to 358p/kg, despite some factories pulling quotes.

The weekly kill totalled 9,607 head, with the prime kill at 7,366 head. The weekly prime kill was the largest since May 2014, when beef prices were 334p/kg.

With current prices holding relatively steady, despite the higher kill, farmers with good numbers of in-spec cattle are still in a strong selling position.

Cows

Cow numbers have eased slightly, with the best quote for O+3 animals at 250p/kg and R3 cows at 260p/kg.

Most plants are buying good-quality R grade cows at a base of 270p/kg, while plainer types or dairy-cross cows are moving at 255p/kg.

The cow kill stood at 2,070 head, down 210 head on the previous week.

The average paid price on R3 cows last week was 273.6p/kg.

Hogget trade

The quotes for hoggets this week are steady at 370p/kg up to 22kg deadweight.

In the marts surveyed, two were unchanged on the previous week, while two with big shows were down by 10p and 9p/kg.

Kilrea had 400 hoggets selling from 336p to 349p/kg, no change from last week.

Massereene had a big sale of 1,206 hoggets making from 330p to 365p/kg, down 10p/kg on last week.

In Saintfield, Tuesday, they had a small sale of 355 hoggets making from 330p to 375p/kg, no change from last week.

In Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, a show of 570 hoggets sold from 326p to 368p/kg and averaged 335p/kg, down 9p/kg on last week.

Ewes

Top prices for the best fat ewes held up at the end of last week, but have weakened slightly this week. They sold to a top of £80 in Newtownstewart, £86 in Swatragh and to £100 in Omagh for a big show of 343 ewes.

In Kilrea, ewes made to £80; in Massereene to £96; and to £80/head for a very small show in Saintfield. In Rathfriland, a show of 71 ewes were a good trade, selling to a top of £85.

In Ballymena, Monday evening, the best store hoggets sold from £60 to £74/head. The best crossbred in-lamb ewes made from £150 to £160/head. Ewes with twins at foot made up to £180 for the outfit.