The beef trade in Northern Ireland continues to leave the southern trade playing catch-up. Prices have moved up by a further 2p/kg to 4p/kg, with the U-3 base quote ranging from £3.30/kg to £3.36/kg on average (€3.86/kg to €3.92/kg and equivalent or €4.07/kg to €4.19/kg inclusive of 5.4% VAT), while at the top of the market choice lots are selling to a base of £3.40/kg.

Top returns for traditional-bred animals with a positive bonus scheme payment mechanism are rising to £3.60/kg (€4.44/kg) to as high as £3.70/kg (€4.56/kg equivalent incl VAT). Northern prices are now on a par with Scottish prices and are in the territory of top prices paid globally.

Southern prices unchanged

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There is no real change in the trade in the south with factories firmly focused on keeping a lid on prices.

The majority of steers are trading on a base of €3.45/kg, with little exception to this price. Heifers are also mainly selling on a mixed base price of €3.45/kg to £3.50/kg, while small numbers are moving at a 5c/kg higher price.

The exception to this is in Foyle Meats where bonus add-ons are being paid for stock ticking all their desired criteria, with a particularly strong emphasis on cattle that are eligible to supply the Chinese market.

This includes being from a herd that has been TB-free for at least 12 months and cattle aged under 30 months of age.

Agents purchasing for other plants also remain firmly focused on steers and heifers under 30 months of age, with the period from booking to slaughtering cattle reducing to just three or five days in places.

However, lengthy delays remain for stock exceeding the 30-month age limit, with this compounded by carcases exceeding desired factory weight restrictions.

The focus on young stock is benefiting bulls, with regular sellers moving bulls with more intensity. R grading bulls are trading from €3.40/kg to €3.45/kg, with U grades 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.