Cattle quotes have improved this week, with some plants adding 4p/kg to their base price, while others have moved base quotes up 2p/kg. The higher base price brings the best quote for U-3 grade cattle to 350p/kg this week.

But with numbers tight, factories remain anxious for prime cattle. While there are some farmers being held at the 350p/kg base price, there are still numerous reports of farmers negotiating 4p/kg to 6p/kg above base.

Regular sellers with good numbers of cattle continue to sell upwards to 360p/kg on steers and heifers. Higher prices are easier secured on in-spec cattle, especially heifers.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was 347.47p/kg, a rise of over 3p/kg on the previous week.

The weekly kill totalled 9,403 cattle, a drop of 264 head on the previous week. The prime cattle kill was down slightly to 6,566 head.

Cattle moving for direct slaughter in Britain totalled 113 head. There was a rise in imports from ROI with 141 cattle coming north. However, 147 cattle moved in the opposite direction.

Cows

The cow kill continues to boost factory throughput. However, last week’s kill of 2,555 was down almost 300 head on the previous week and the lowest cow kill since mid-October. Quotes for O+3 grade cows are 240p/kg to 245p/kg, although indications are that cows are moving from a base of 250p/kg. R grade cows are working from a base of 270p/kg, with some farmers reporting upwards of 280p/kg being paid.

Marts

Strong demand for finished cattle has filtered through to the marts. Prices for continental steers increased by as much as 15p/kg this week, or £90 on a 600kg animal.

Plainer cattle have increased by an average of 10p/kg, or £60 on a 600kg steer, while heifer prices are up 5p/kg.

Lamb trade

Quotes at the factories are steady at 375p/kg to a maximum of 22kg deadweight.

In the marts, trade was influenced by the euro, which was weak on Monday, following the Italian vote, but recovered on Tuesday.

Kilrea had 500 lambs (200 lambs more than last week) selling from 346p/kg to 366p/kg, up by 1p/kg to 4p/kg.

Massereene sold 1,296 lambs (60 lambs more) making from 330p/kg to 356p/kg, down by 5p/kg to 8p/kg due to the weakness of the euro on the day. Top price was £86 for 26kg, with £80 for 23kg.

Saintfield had a sale of 546 (156 fewer) and they made from 325p/kg to 371p/kg, up by 10p/kg for heavier lambs.

Rathfriland had a sale of 800 lambs (310 lambs less) and trade was better. Prices averaged 342p/kg, up 3p/kg on last week. The range was from 325p/kg to 378p/kg.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes is still firm, with most marts seeing increases in top prices. Top price was £86 in Newtownstewart, £100 in Omagh for a show of 287 ewes, £79 in Swatragh, £73 in Kilrea, £100 in Saintfield and £98 in Rathfriland for 85 ewes sold. In Massereene, the top continentals were £87 with Suffolks making from £70 to £83.