Cattle quotes unchanged

Quotes at one of the factories have edged up 2p/kg this week, which takes base quotes to 316p/kg for both steers and heifers.

With plenty of grass about, there is no big urge on producers to sell, which has meant some regular suppliers have achieved prices 10p/kg ahead of base quotes this week. The mood in the trade is helped slightly by tighter numbers in Britain, which has seen prices rise 15p/kg over the last four weeks.

The total kill last week in NI was 7,955. Stronger kills are expected once the weather turns. The import trade continues apace, with 981 head brought in from the south for slaughter. Exports south were 128 head and 240 went to Britain, the highest weekly figure since March.

There are reports of renewed interest from factory agents in the trade to Britain for slaughter. Prices paid last week for steers were up slightly to average 311.8p/kg, but heifers were down slightly to average 317.7p/kg. Quotes for R and O+ cows are unchanged and are in the range 245p to 250p/kg.

Lamb quotes

There is a big surge in lambs coming forward and quotes for lambs at the factories have edged back another 5p this week to 345p/kg for FQAS to 21kg. The mart trade is also a bit easier. Kilrea had a show of 570 lambs, selling from 300p to 332p, down 6p to 10p/kg. Fat ewes sold to £77.50. In Massereene, there was a big show, with 1,320 lambs selling from 300p to 331p/kg, down 5p to 8p/kg. Fat ewes made up to £85. Saintfield sold 707 lambs and they made from 290p to 353p/kg, down around 16p/kg. And fat ewes sold to a top price of £96. In Rathfriland, trade was unchanged with 22kg making £66 to £70 a head and heavy lambs at 25kg and 26kg making up to £77. Fat ewes sold well to a top of £85.