The beef trade is leaning in favour of farmers, as prices continue to edge upwards. Some plants remain on a quote of 356p/kg for U3 cattle, but this is not reflective of the current market.

Other plants have improved their quotes by 2p to 4p/kg to 360p/kg, but this is still lagging behind the actual prices being paid for slaughter-fit cattle.

Supplies have tightened significantly within the past week and plants are becoming increasingly reliant on larger finishers.

Farmers with cattle to sell are in a position of strength and are finding factory agents more willing to negotiate on price.

Several farmers with smaller numbers to offload report that plants are opening from a base of 362p to 364p/kg on steers and young bulls.

Other farmers with bigger numbers of in-spec steers are securing 366p to 370p/kg, with more being offered to finishers with a steady supply of numbers to come over the next few weeks.

Demand for prime heifers is robust and reports of 366p to 368p/kg is common, with 370p to 374p/kg being offered to regular finishers. Deals are also being made which include haulage.

The manufacturing beef trade is strengthening and the value of dairy-bred cattle is rising. Several farmers report prices of 350p/kg and better being paid to secure sufficient numbers to meet demand.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers increased to 359.32p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was 369.9p/kg, with U3 heifers averaging 372.3p/kg.

Prices in Britain have increased to an average of 378p/kg for U3 steers, with U3 heifers making 383p/kg. Prices in Scotland are close to 390p/kg.

Cows

Supplies of cull cows are becoming increasingly limited, which is leading processors to increase prices. Quotes for R3 cows are 300p/kg, but prices are running at least 20p/kg ahead of quotes on good-quality beef animals.

Spring lamb & Hogget trade

There are no big increases in the number of spring lambs coming on to the market and factory quotes are maintained at 590p/kg, making a 21kg lamb worth almost £124.

In the marts, numbers were also limited. Kilrea sold 270 spring lambs from 522p to 542p/kg.

Massereene sold 285 lambs making from 540p to 614p/kg, up by 24p/kg for lighter lambs.

In Saintfield, 296 lambs made from 530p to 590p/kg, up by 10p to 30p/kg. Texels at 23kg made £131, or 570p/kg; with 22.2kg at £122, 550p/kg. A pen of Suffolks at 22.2kg made £119, or 536p/kg.

In Rathfriland, lambs averaged 541p/kg, down 14p/kg on last week.

The hogget trade is coming to an end, with small numbers on offer. Factory quotes are down 10p at 540p/kg, making a 22kg hogget worth almost £119. Small numbers in the marts saw trade up on last week.

Massereene had only 198 hoggets making from 450p to 512p/kg, up by 30p/kg for heavier lots.

In Saintfield, 120 hoggets made from 439p to 545p/kg, up by 40p/kg-plus on last week. Very heavy hoggets from 27kg to 30kg made from £110 to £115.

The fat ewe trade is strong, with good top prices. In Omagh, top was £138 for 271 sold. In Massereene, the top was £126 and in Saintfield it was £105. Rathfriland sold 181 head to £105.