There are some indications that cattle numbers are tightening a little at the factories and sellers have a better chance of squeezing slightly higher prices from agents. But high stocks of beef in the chill stores are holding back any meaningful rise in base quotes.

This week quotes for both steers and heifers are at 330p and 332p respectively for U-3 grades. At these prices, some factories are unchanged from last week; others are up 2p and 4p/kg. However, farmers report being able to secure prices up to 6p/kg more than last week, with deals being done in the low 340s.

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

Looking ahead, sources in the trade expect cattle numbers to be tight for most of May and June.

Supply is expected to increase later in the summer, but tighten again in the runup to Christmas.

The continued weakness of the euro against sterling continues to make southern Irish cattle an attractive alternative for local factories once their British supermarket orders are filled. The number imported for slaughter from the south last week, at 518 head, was the highest weekly import figure since early March. Exports to the south were 267 head, and only 42 cattle went across to Britain.

Coming after the Easter break, the kill last week was up 1,200 head to 7,507, although it was still one of the lowest weekly kills so far this year.

Prices paid were back slightly, with steers and heifers averaging 331.56p/kg, down just over 1p/kg on the previous week. U3 steers averaged 349.8p/kg, with R3s at 344.2p/kg.

The fat cow trade is steady and the market for R and O+ grade cows is from 240p to 250p/kg. Prices paid for good quality R grade cows averaged slightly over 265p/kg last week.

Ends

Hoggets and spring lamb

With the on-going problems over the outlets for NI lamb killed in the south, prices at the factories have dropped substantially by up to 40p/kg.

Hogget quotes are down to 350p/kg to 22kg while Spring lamb are 420p/kg to 21kg at one plant and no quote at the other.

Trade is very slow in the marts.

In Kilrea, 350 hoggets sold from 300p to 330p, down by 25p to 70p/kg. Massereene sold 506 hoggets from 305p to 330p/kg, down 25p to 30p/kg.

In Saintfield, 340 hoggets sold from 250p to 320p, down 50p to 30p/kg. Two pens of the best Suffolk hoggets made £73 for 26kg or 281p/kg. And 50 Spring lambs sold from 340p to 380p, down 40p/kg.

Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, sold 255 hoggets from 251p to 343p and averaged 295p, down 38p/kg. Spring lambs sold from 336p to 386p and averaged 368p, down a massive 78p for 187 head.

Ballymena, Wednesday has sold good Suffolk hoggets, 24kg at £72, with lesser types at £60.

The trade in fat ewes has weakened, selling to a top of £85 in Kilrea; £100 in Massereene and Saintfield; and £85 in Rathfriland.