Base factory quotes for U-3 grade cattle show little change this week and run 320p to 324p for steers and 322p to 326p for heifers.

However, with prime cattle numbers remaining reasonably tight, quotes in the low 330s remain freely available, with some managing to get into the 340s for a load of in-spec cattle.

The stronger euro against sterling is making southern Irish beef less price-competitive in the British market, which helps put a firmer base into the trade – up to now, it has been driven mainly by tight numbers.

However, with some grass cattle starting to emerge and other farmers looking to clear sheds, factory agents have found it slightly easier to source cattle this week.

Some factory agents believe more significant numbers of prime cattle will start to appear from mid-July onwards.

However, the overall kill last week received a significant boost, with more cull cows starting to appear as autumn-calving dairy herds look to dry off cows.

Cow kill

The cow kill of 1,963 was the largest weekly kill since January. To date in 2016, the total cow kill is up 16% on the same period in 2015.

It meant the overall kill last week of 7,912 was up over 300 head and the largest since the end of April.

In terms of prices paid last week, they continued to increase, with steers and heifers averaging 321.27p/kg, up 2.5p/kg and the highest average paid since last September.

U3 grade steers and heifers averaged 332.3 and 333.8p/kg respectively.

The cow trade is steady this week at the plants, despite the higher numbers coming forward.

The best quote for an O+3 grade cow is 245p/kg, with others quoting 240p/kg and down to 235p. Best quote for an R grade is 255p/kg.

Last week, the actual prices paid for R grades were around 265p/kg.

Lamb trade

In the aftermath of the Brexit referendum result, the euro is now worth almost 83p and has given buyers for southern plants a big boost to their buying power.

Plants in the North have to compete and quotes this week have firmed to 400p and 395p/kg for up to 21kg deadweight, making a lamb worth £84.

With southern buyers active, the mart trade has moved up by around 20p/kg.

In Kilrea, 440 lambs sold from 358p to 378p, up on last week by over 20p/kg.

Saintfield had a big show, selling 844 lambs from 365p to 411p/kg, up by over 30p/kg. Lambs at 23kg made from £86 to £90/head, while 22kg made from £84 to £86.

Rathfriland had 400 more lambs on offer this week, with 1,000 head selling from 358p to 405p and they averaged 370p, which was up 17p on last week.

Fat ewe prices are steady and top prices were Newtownstewart to £92/head, Swatragh to £87, Omagh to £95, Kilrea to £80, and in Saintfield to £95.

In Rathfriland ,there was a show of 236 head, with a great top pen selling for £124/head.