Cattle quotes remain unchanged this week, despite the efforts of some processors to talk the trade down. Official quotes for U-3 grade cattle start at 342p/kg, with 350p/kg still the best quote on offer.

Farmers selling cattle report a variety of prices on offer, depending on the number and type of cattle being supplied, as well as the processor.

Deals for in-spec steers are seeing cattle moving from a base of 348p/kg to 354p/kg, with in-spec heifers making 2p to 4p/kg above this again.

Young bulls are a more difficult sell. Some farmers have managed to secure 4p to 6p/kg over base, while others are being held at 348p to 350p/kg. Higher prices are easier negotiated for regular sellers with bigger numbers for sale.

Numbers of finished cattle are steady and with fewer cows coming on to the market this week, processors are just about getting sufficient supplies to maintain throughput.

The weekly kill totalled 9,336 head. The prime cattle kill totalled 6,716, up 150 head on the previous week. The average price paid on prime cattle was 348.13p/kg, up 0.5p/kg on the previous week. Cattle imported from ROI totalled 143, similar to the previous week, with 124 moving in the opposite direction. The cross channel trade has seen a sharp drop in numbers as domestic cattle price is on a par with Britain. Just 36 cattle were shipped for slaughter in Britain.

Cow trade

Cow numbers continue to tail off, with 2,382 head slaughtered, down 180 head on the previous week.

One plant increased its base quote for O+3 grade cows by 5p/kg to 250p/kg, while others continue to work from a base of 240p/kg.

Quotes for R grade cows start from an official base of 250p/kg to 260p/kg, but farmers are reporting deals of 5p/kg to 10p/kg above base on offer.

Lamb trade

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

In the marts, although numbers were mostly down, the trade was slightly easier, as the weaker euro took the edge off demand from southern buyers.

Kilrea had 400 lambs (100 fewer lambs than last week) selling from 336p/kg to 356p/kg, down 10p/kg.

Massereene sold 1,267 lambs (30 lambs fewer) making from 325p/kg to 360p/kg, down by 5p/kg.

Saintfield had a sale of 577 (30 lambs more) and they made from 320p/kg to 376p/kg, down by 5p/kg for heavier lambs.

Rathfriland had a sale of 660 lambs (140 fewer lambs) and trade was slightly easier compared with last week. Prices averaged 340p/kg, down 2p/kg. The range was from 325p/kg to 375p/kg. The top price per head was £87.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes remains firm, with most marts seeing increases in top prices again this week. Top in Omagh was £98 for a big show of 378 ewes; in Swatragh was £86; in Kilrea was £76; in Saintfield was £117/head; and in Rathfriland was £75 for a small show. In Massereene, the top continentals made £109, with Suffolks making to £90/head.