There are early signs coming from the market that supplies of finished cattle are starting to tighten again.

Throughout September, processors have seen throughput increase as farmers looked to offload forward cattle carrying flesh, given the downturn in grazing conditions which led to price pressure.

However, with more cattle sold off grass earlier this month, it appears to have created a shortage of cattle for the coming weeks.

Farmers indicate that cattle agents have become more anxious about supplies this week, making it easier to negotiate on price.

With cattle becoming slightly more difficult to secure, two plants have increased their base price by 2p/kg. This puts the range of factory quotes on 348p to 354p/kg for U-3 grading animals.

Most farmers report that plants are offering a starting base of 356p/kg. There have been reports of deals of 358p/kg rising to 366p/kg being paid at the top end of the market for in-spec animals.

Some plants are managing to hold suppliers at the outlined base prices by operating a shorter kill week and importing slaughter cattle from the Republic and from Britain.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifer was 349.11p/kg.

The average price paid on U3 steers was 357.7p/kg, with U3 heifers paid to an average of 362.9/kg.

Imports of cattle from the Republic have tailed off considerably as demand increases south of the border.

A total of 118 animals moved north for slaughter, compared with 312 in the previous week. Slaughter cattle exported to Britain totalled 93, with 133 animals imported.

Cows

Demand for cull cows remains solid, with processors quoting 265p to 275p/kg on O+3 animals, while R3 cows are starting from a base of 285p/kg. Farmers report deals of 290p to 300p/kg on offer for good-quality cows.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade has eased another 5p/kg at meat plants, putting quotes on 375p/kg payable to 21kg.

In the marts, the number of lambs has fallen and prices have recovered a little, with increases of 5p to 9p/kg at the start of the week. However, Rathfriland was down 2p/kg on Tuesday evening.

In Kilrea, 500 lambs sold from 330p to 344p/kg, up by 7p to 9p/kg on last week.

The trade was brighter at Massereene and they sold 1,064 lambs making from 330p to 362p/kg, up by 5p/kg. The 362p/kg was for 22kg making £79.50. A pen at 22kg made £77 (350p) and 24.5kg made £86 (351p). Heavy lambs made £90 for 28kg, £89.50 for 26kg and £86.50 for 25kg.

In Saintfield, 703 lambs sold from 320p to 369p/kg, little changed on the previous week.

Rathfriland sold 800 lambs making from 322p to 400p/kg; averaging 346p/kg, down 2p/kg on last week.

The top prices for fat ewes are holding, with good top prices. They sold to a top of £80/head in Newtownstewart and to £101 in Swatragh. Omagh had a big sale with 469 ewes selling to £118. In Kilrea, the top price was £73. In Massereene, the top price was £89 for Texels, £80 for Suffolks and £70 for crossbreds. In Saintfield, they made to £80, while in Rathfriland the top price was £85/head.